Berengo Studio brings a modern twist to the craft of Murano glass-blowing

Curated by Vik Muniz and Koen Vanmechelen, the sixth edition of Glasstress explores the possibilities of glass through the lens of contemporary art at the 58th Venice Biennale

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Glasstress 2019, installation view at Fondazione Berengo Art Space, Murano
Glasstress 2019, installation view at Fondazione Berengo Art Space, Murano. (Image credit: Nikola Grozdanov)

A showcase of the fruits of Berengo Studio’s labour, the inaugural edition of Glasstress took place in 2009 and has since become a firm fixture of the Venice Biennale. This year’s exhibition sees Glasstress alumni Laure Prouvost, Erwin Wurm and Ai Weiwei, among others, join newcomers including José Parlá and Denise Milan for a blockbuster tenth anniversary edition of two halves – one that casts its eye to the future, while the other celebrates Glasstress’ greatest hits.

Tiempos Frágiles (Fragile Times), by José Parlá.

Tiempos Frágiles (Fragile Times), by José Parlá.

(Image credit: Francesco Allegretto)

A disused glass furnace sets the scene for new works and installations by artists such as Monica Bonvicini and Thomas Schütte. For this section, Brazilian artist Vik Muniz dons his curatorial cap, having invited his peers to explore ‘how glass redefines our perception of space’.  He, too, takes part in the show with a pair of hyper-realistic murrine portraits in which he has borrowed from a centuries-old decorating technique. Fellow compatriot and sculptor Valeska Soares has made a series of glass containers, entitled Acqua Alta, that reflect on water as a precious commodity. Argentine artist Pablo Reinoso similarly references Venice with a life-size sculpture based on the wooden poles (bricole) that line the channels of the city and its lagoon.

Belgian artist Koen Vanmechelen has curate the other section of the exhibition, pulling together highlights from the past ten years. It’s a chance to revisit some of Glasstress’ most memorable works, including Mat Collishaw’s A Different Self (2014), comprising a digital screen embedded in an ornate Venetian mirror frame; and Jaume Plensa’s Barcelona muse (Laura’s Hands, 2011) in a state of dreaming. A special project by Robert Wilson, curated by Jean Blancheart, also forms part of the sixth edition of Glasstress. 

Beyond Murano, the studio is supporting a number of artists at the Venice Biennale, from Liliano Moro, who features in the Italian Pavilion at the Arsenale, to Renate Bertlmann, the first women to represent Austria at its national pavilion in the Giardini. Over on San Clemente island, Joana Vasconcelos and Tony Cragg play with perception as their larger-than-life works take over the Palace Kempinski gardens.

Glass work by Tony Cragg

Tony Cragg. Courtesy of the artist and Berengo Studio

(Image credit: Francesco Allegretto)

Glass works by Valeska Soares

Valeska Soares. Courtesy of the artist and Berengo Studio

(Image credit: Allegretto)

Study of Perspective in Glass (detail), 2018, by Ai Weiwei

Study of Perspective in Glass (detail), 2018, by Ai Weiwei.

(Image credit: Ai Weiwei Studio and Berengo Studio)

Untitled, 2019, by Vik Muniz

Untitled, 2019, by Vik Muniz. Courtesy of the artist and Berengo Studio

(Image credit: Alessio Buldrin)

Earth Banquet, by Denise Milan

Earth Banquet, by Denise Milan. Courtesy of the artist and Berengo Studio

(Image credit: Sergio Coimbra)

INFORMATION

‘Glasstress 2019’, 9 May – 24 November, Fondazione Berengo Art Space. fondazioneberengo.org; glasstress.org

ADDRESS

Fondazione Berengo Art Space
Campiello Della Pescheria
Fondamenta dei Vetrai
Murano

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