Lino Tagliapietra Exhibit to Open in October; Artist Visit Planned

Lino Tagliapietra Exhibit to Open in October; Artist Visit Planned

Posted on Sep 2, 2015, by

Lino Tagliapietra, an influential Italian glass artist and master glassmaker who is recognized throughout the world for his skill and talent, will be present at Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass October 9-11 to open his exhibition, Transcending Time: a Survey of Works in Glass by Italian Maestro Lino Tagliapietra. The exhibition will be open through February 14, 2016.

Lino, as he is affectionately known, is among the most admired and beloved glass artists living today. He has earned the title of the Maestro, or master glass blower. His skills reflect a long Italian tradition in glass, using techniques and skills that date back six centuries. However, his attitude is exploratory and contemporary, providing anything but an historic reference. It is this excitement and youthful exploratory outlook that has made the work of this 81 year-old glassblower from Murano, highly sought and collectible, as well as the artist himself, a much treasured personality. It is also his passion about making art from glass that has placed him in the enviable position of Maestro.

The exhibition for Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass will reflect both his classic mastery and contemporary zeal for experimentation. The exhibition reflects not only the signature styles for which the artist has been known, but current work that enthusiastically crosses the boundaries he may have previously established. The exhibition is uniquely scaled and designed for Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass with selections made in collaboration with the artist, his grandson who now guides Lino Tagliapietra, Incorporated in Seattle, as well as his long standing gallerists, Jim Schantz and Kim Saul.

The exhibition will make use of the architecture of Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass, incorporating the artists hanging blown, bird-like forms called Ala, mounted from the ceiling of the museum entrance, creating immediate excitement, along with large scale blown vase-like sculptures with fantastically curvilinear long necks, he calls Dinosaurs. As the artist has traveled and taught worldwide, we see this reflected in the work as well, with inspired recent series like Osaka, Fuji, Kukubarra, and Borneo or Masai.

With over 30 pieces, the story of the artist’s contemporary thought will be portrayed in three exhibition spaces. From the Foyer, visitors will see the extension of works on pedestals and in the eight wall exhibit cases reflecting “Classic Lino”, which will speak to the artist’s development and signature shapes that built his reputation and mastery.

The Mahler Gallery will host current work that will include suspended works, wall arrangements resembling butterflies, works on pedestals and stands called Fenice, or Endeavor, as well as kiln-formed, large-scale panels made of murrini.

This work is colorful, bold and contemporary. The artist continues to redefine his career, so that encounters with the work continue also to be exciting for those who view it. The work becomes timeless and so does the master: Transcending Time: A Survey of the Glass Art of Italian Maestro Lino Tagliapietra.

This exhibition has been made possible by our generous donors and sponsors: Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau, BelGioioso Cheese Inc., Liberty Hall Banquet and Conference Center, Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass and a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the state of Wisconsin and The National Endowment for the Arts.  Thanks also goes to Lino Tagliapietra, Inc. and Schantz Galleries for assistance in organizing the exhibition.

Exhibition Programming

Art In Motion – Meet Lino Tagliapietra
October 9-11, 2015

Public Opening
Sunday, October 11, 1-3pm
Gallery Walk with Lino Tagliapietra at 2pm, Catalog signing to follow

Exhibit Discussion: Millefiori and Murrini with Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass Executive Director, Jan Smith
Wednesday, November 18, 2015 from 5-6:00 pm
Wednesday, February 3, 2016 from 5-6:00 pm

Exhibit Walks
Second Wednesdays at noon during the exhibition

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