Bigger and Better: The Venice Glass Week turns 2

The second edition of The Venice Glass Week will take place over the city from the 9th to the 16th of September. Growing on the success of the first major international glass festival in 2017, this years edition will host 180 different events from more than 150 participants. This represents a 20% increase from last year and will include exhibitions, guided tours, conferences, workshops, performances, educational activities and even a run!

This year, a curatorial committee was appointed to choose from hundreds of applications that were submitted for selection. The committee was chaired by the Venetian glass historian Rosa Barovier Mentasti as well as an array of experts including journalists, chemists, critics and teachers. This versatile team reflects the diversity of works that will be on show, a testament to the dynamism of today’s glass industry and the interest it is cultivating.

But how to plan your visit with all this choice? Here are TLmag’s top picks:

THE M.V.M. CAPPELLIN GLASSWORKS AND THE YOUNG CARLO SCARPA 1925-1931
Learn how Murano became the capital of glass. This exhibition retraces the history of M.V.M Cappellin & C., which was founded in 1925 and was one of the main artistic glassworks on the island. This show displays extraordinary pieces which were a result of the passions of Giacomo Cappellin and Carlo Scarpa. The duo had an experimental approach to glass that often reinterpreted ancient production techniques like reticello filigree and the fenicio decoration.

Le Stanza Del Vetro, Island of San Giorgio Maggiore
10th September – 6th January, 2019

HOMO FABER: CRAFTING A MORE HUMAN FUTURE
This exhibition celebrates the craftsman behind the craft. Organised by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship, this event goes beyond glass, showcasing a selection of rare, contemporary and traditional crafts. See the master artisans’ intricate skills which may be on the brink of extinction in live demonstrations. Listen to new ideas and expert voices throughout the program of Creativity and Craftsmanship Conferences.

Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Island of San Giorgio Maggiore
14th – 30th September 

OPEN GLASS ARCHIVES
Develop your understanding of glass with this rare peek into the Glass Study Centre at Fondazione Giorgio Cini. Usually, only available to scholars and researchers this tour will invite the curious, the keen and the passionate into the library to appreciate the precious research resources hidden within, such as original sketches, drawings and glass molds collected from artists’ private archives.

Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Island of San Giorgio Maggiore.
Tours must be reserved, 10th – 14th September

THE MOUTH OF FIRE 2018
Join in the night-time run along the calli and across the bridges of Murano on a course lit by candles which will pass through six, fully-operating glassworks.

The race is organized by ASD Venezia Runners Atletica Murano 
Saturday 15th September

MOULDING AND APPLYING HOT GLASS THROUGH THE CENTURIESOver three days, a panel of experts including museum curators, collectors, scholars, restorers and glass artists will offer in-depth discussions and live-demonstrations of this ancient technique of glass processing. The study days aim to stimulate a knowledge exchange and new insights into this technique. It welcomes anyone from expert to enthusiast.

Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti,
Palazzo Franchetti, San Marco 2842
10th – 12th September

QWALALA
This coloured “brick” wall made from thousands of pieces of hand cast, coloured glass seems to come straight from a fairy-tale. When the sunlight passes through the 75 metre sculpture by the American Artist, Pae White, the glass glistens in a rainbow glow.

Le Stanza Del Vetro, Island of San Giorgio Maggiore

Cover image: A plus A Gallery, Jochen Holz, Coloured, Side handle colour jugs – photography by Angus Mill

Keep an eye out for upcoming articles around The Venice Glass Week!