A Glass Primer

I had the privilege of attending the press preview and member opening of the new exhibit at the Museum of Glass for Exit133. Lino Tagliapietra: In Retrospect took my breath away. The pieces were stunning. I’m not a glass expert, so I cannot comment on the technical reasons for his importance, but after spending over an hour in the exhibit room I’m still craving more.

Glass is a remarkable medium. Lino is a master at creating pieces with depth, grace and color. From simple shapes to sweeping dinosaur forms, each square inch has been thought about. Despite listening to him talk about creating these pieces, I was still left wondering how one man can create such a wide array of art. In his words, “If you have a lot of fantasy and a little culture you can create.”

Guest curator Susanne Frantz has woven the story of Lino’s remarkable life with a primer on international studio glass art. As a relative newcomer to glass art, tracing Lino’s life through various studios and collaborations allowed me to gain an appreciation of other glass artists.