Venice Biennale: Glasstress
‘Glasstress: White Light/White Heat’ brings the traditional craft of glassblowing into a contemporary context. The exhibition returns to the Venice Biennale for its third edition.
‘Glasstress: White Light/White Heat’ is the result of a unique collaborative project between the Berengo Studio (Venice), Venice Projects (Venice), London College of Fashion (London) and the Wallace Collection (London). For many of the artists involved it is the first time they have worked with glass, so this project challenges them to think beyond their own discipline.
Fifty artists were invited to respond to the theme of light and heat. Light and heat are the components of fire and also the essence of glassblowing. Light is integral to our perception of glass, while heat is required to shape it.
Highlights of the exhibition include a glass dress that uses the transformative nature of fashion to allow the glass to have more significance than as a raw material. Ron Arad’s ‘Last Train’ is also included as part of the exhibition.
‘Glasstress: White Light/White Heat’ is on display until Sunday 24 November 2013 in the Palazzo Cavalli Franchetti at the 55th Venice Biennale.
