We just wrapped up "Phase 1" of our summer buying trip with 3 days in Murano, Italy (found lots of beautiful glass to say the least!). Venice was celebrating its Biennale this summer, including the 54th International Art Exhibition: "Illuminations", but sadly, we did not have time to get to the Arsenal to see this exceptional biannual contemporary exhibit.
However, we did get to see one incredible collateral event in Murano, where we were busy shopping - "Glasstress 2011" is tucked away behind The B Restaurant in Murano, in an old abandoned glass-blowing fornace, a dramatic and unbelievably perfect setting for this contemporary, must-see show.
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| Our lovely tour guide, Elizabeth, in the main exhibit room. |
Over 50 artists, architects and designers' creative works are on display through November 27, 2011. Their striking contemporary glass works of art are "proof positive of the limitless possibilities inherent in glass". Take a look at some of our favorites:
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| "La Carrona" by Javier Perez. |
This surprising work by Javier Perez really caught our attention. The sheer size of it is impressive, the subject matter startling. A magnificent three-tiered Murano chandelier has crashed to the floor and died, overtaken by a flock of crows who feast on the blood red glass. It is at once painful to behold and moving.
Combining the old with the new, this artist creates an aesthetic light source made from a traditional Murano glass chandelier and contemporary neon lights.
Love this cat made entirely of strands of glass. The artist also created a dog and rabbit of similar scale.
I wish I could remember the title of this installation - each glass displayed the title and author of one of history's most significant literary works; the stem of each glass contained the ashes of the book in question. The idea being that in the modern world, this repertoire of masterpieces (and symbols of our culture) seems to be fading into oblivion, perhaps never to be tasted by today's youth. Yet, the glass itself is an open vessel, and thus optimistic that not all be lost... beautiful.
An incredible piece of blown mercury glass that was hung near a honey bee space where the bees promptly got to work coating it with honeycomb and yes, honey!
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| Stunning self portrait glass mosaic by Andrea Salvador. |
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| "The Moon's Hues are Teasing" by Shi Yong. |
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| Glass "mushrooms" on tree trunk. |
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| Iago's Mirror by Fred Wilson. |
Collateral Event of the 54th Biennale di Venezia
Murano, Italy
Show runs through November 27, 2011
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