Murano glass integrates contemporary art through Glasstress project

The Glasstress project continues to bridge the gap between traditional Murano glassmaking and contemporary art. Founded in 2009 by Adriano Berengo, the initiative brings international designers and artists to Murano and Venice to experiment with glass in diverse ways.

Currently, exhibitions are held at the Fondazione Berengo Art Space in Murano and the Ca' Tron palace on the Grand Canal. Featured works include chandeliers by Ai Weiwei, glass transcriptions of Sean Scully's paintings, and dreamlike figures by Erwin Wurm. Berengo noted that the project has expanded to include a more diverse range of international artists, including many from China and the Arab world.

A significant technical shift highlighted by the project is the increasing use of casting, a process where molten glass is poured into molds. Berengo suggests that casting may represent the future of Murano glassmaking, as it allows contemporary artists to more directly interpret their own models and designs.