The age of glass

Time is a strange process. Relentless, elusive, yet so present. It’s the time we dedicate to our work. It’s the time it took to get here, since 1295. It’s also the time that has shaped the lagoon visible from our furnace in Murano.

Barovier&Toso

This is the oldest glass furnace in the world. Today, craftsmen working here create the most refined lighting fixtures and luxury design items. On February 12, a new space for art will open within, welcoming visitors into a gallery of art that touches painting, sculpture, textile art, and more. The Water Room, with its trussed ceiling dominated, ça va sans dire, by four majestic Barovier&Toso chandeliers blending classical, modern, and contemporary styles, now opens its doors to contemporary artists engaging with glass as an integral part of their artistic identity. Glass is thus reimagined as a dynamic form of expression, far removed from preconceptions that confine it solely to craftsmanship, becoming a sophisticated creative tool for today’s artists. The primary objective of Barovier&Toso ARTE is to showcase works crafted in glass while integrating them into an interdisciplinary context that embraces painting, sculpture, drawing, textiles, and other artistic practices. Adjacent to the exhibition hall is a space dedicated to entertainment, featuring a bar and café designed to host a rich program of events and roundtable discussions. As the beating heart of Murano’s millennial glassmaking tradition, the island once again becomes a fertile territory through Barovier&Toso ARTE, where it is still possible to draw directly from the cultural and technical heritage of Murano’s master glassmakers – an irreplaceable and unmatched art form. This choice also embodies a profound responsibility toward a region deserving of preservation and promotion. Murano represents a fragile cultural heritage, often threatened by neglect and the loss of traditional skills. With Barovier&Toso ARTE, the goal is not only to keep tradition alive but to make it evolve through dialogue with contemporary art, creating new opportunities for the region and contributing to its cultural and economic vitality. This commitment is not just a tribute to the past but an investment in the future, ensuring that Murano continues to be a beacon of creativity, craftsmanship, and culture for generations to come.

The inauguration of this new space is fittingly celebrated with an exhibition: Glass Art in Dialogue / Arte del Vetro in Dialogo, a project by artists Marija Jaensch and Amy Thai, featuring glass explorations rooted in Murano’s historical legacy.