Glassmakers' art on show
CONTEMPORARY Italian glass design at its finest is on show for the first time in Hongkong, and collectors of modern glass art can rest assured their purchases can never be reproduced.
Following a hugely successful exhibition of glass from Murano, glassmakers at the Milano showroom of top glass company Barovier & Toso late last year, Ms Brunella Bighi felt the time was right to bring the exhibition and sale to the territory.
''This is the first time an exhibition like this is taking place outside of Italy,'' said Ms Bighi,of Arrakis Oggetti, importer of the Barovier & Toso line into Hongkong.
There will be 200 special pieces for sale. The name of the event, Goti de Fornasa - which means ''glasses from the furnace'' in the Venetian dialect - is apt given the nature of the exhibits. They are based on the tradition of furnace workers making their own drinking vessels using whatever materials come to hand.
''These are spontaneous pieces, because they are not designed in advance. The people who make them use whatever is available at that moment, whatever colours or materials, and do what their imagination tells them. They are free form and free style,'' said Ms Bighi.
Running from now until June 19, the exhibition will comprise pieces made by four categories of glass furnace workers.
''There is a hierarchy of workers: the master; his assistant; an apprentice; and his junior.
Each one of them will make their own glass so there will never be two of the same.'' Prices range from $810 to $1,780 for the ''master'' glasses, because they are more elaborate and are made by the most experienced makers.
