SottoVetro

“Made in WonderGlass” is pleased to present SottoVetro, an exhibition curated by renowned art critic Jean Blanchaert within the prestigious surroundings of the Fondazione Berengo Art Space, in conjunction with the 59th Venice Biennale and the 2022 edition of Homo Faber.

SottoVetro alludes to/puns on the preservation process known in Italy as ‘sottovuoto’ i.e. vacuum packing goods to preserve them and extend their shelf life.
The glass business has faced numerous challenges in recent months, and the necessity to preserve and cherish such an ancient traditional trade has become critical for all those working in the glass manufacturing industry.
Furthermore, the word “sottovetro” translates to “under the glass”, evoking the sense of seeing below the surface, of uncovering what is behind the presented work of art.
WonderGlass intends to take visitors into an intimate landscape with this exhibition, presenting each artist's secret – recipe – for creativity.
This coterie of contemporary artists and their artistic approaches to glass create a unified landscape of vibrant patterns, enticing textures, and pulsing colour palettes that spread their visual appeal. The observer is asked to explore the various combinations of materials that provide a powerful semantic effect, presenting itself in radically distinct experiences each time.
Thomas Demand, who in his practice explores the gap between reality and its representation, is for the first time presenting a series of light fittings, Accordion and Zig Zag; Francesco Vezzoli, addressing contemporary culture and the seductive power of language, will present an oversized homage to the iconic Schiaparelli perfume bottle; Moritz Waldemeyer, who always focuses on creating an emotional response in the viewer with light and form, will present Prometheus, an illuminated installation; Joana Vasconcelos fuses fabric with glass, in a work that celebrates collective identity; Andrea Anastasio interflows ancient Venetian traditions with oriental reminiscences in Luna Rossa.
The exhibition's concept is concerned not only with the interaction between the visible work and the audience, but also with the link that exists within the artwork among what is represented and how it is presented, namely its visibility and perception circumstances. It's about the material surface on which the gaze rests and the dimension in which the piece of art resides, an interactive dimension from which a complete imaginary cosmos emerges.

Complete List of Artists: Andrea Anastasio - atelier oï - Bethan Laura Wood - Francesco Vezzoli - Joana Vasconcelos - Moritz Waldemeyer - Nao Tamura - Richard Woods - studiopluz - Thomas Demand

About WonderGlass: Inventive, original design and traditional handmade quality make WonderGlass a unique brand on the international artistic scene. Since the establishment in 2013, Maurizio and Christian Mussati, father and son, have built the company leveraging on the bespoke glass savoir-faire, made in Venice, Italy, which encompasses lighting as well as handcrafted installations. Each product relies on the Venetian glassmaking techniques such as blown, cast and fused glass. By bonding traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design and art, WonderGlass consistently provides tailor-made solutions, offering the possibility to incorporate artisanal creations into projects of any scale.