Visiting Venice – First and foremost you find yourself surrounded by canals and palazzos sitting in the water. Water is not only a principal means of transport but reflects light during the day, divides and defines a perspective upon urban life, arts and architecture that one wishes to access when meandering the narrow streets. Overwhelmed by this eccentric ‘Citta di Venezia’ you may recognize the varying individual riches that transform the vision when glanced from the boat.
The Lagoon of Venice is a preferred destination for tourists looking for art, architecture and historical sites in northern Italy. So have we been seduced – visiting Venice with friends and family regularly since the late 70s. “Pensione Accademia” — a central location with a beautiful garden — was our beloved accommodation.
It so happened that through local friends we got acquainted with wonderful, seemingly remote Murano. Over time, Murano became our preferred residence for many years and many reasons - some you may discover during your own visit.
Murano enjoys many hidden beauties – the wonderful churches with their treasures are at your fingertips, but to see glass production or understand the countless generations and knowhow behind it needs more digging.
At the end of the 13th cent Murano was assigned the rights to erect factories and produce glass while at the same time maestri were restricted and confined to keep the secrets of their knowledge.
Over many centuries the development of glass art Murano has lived through the ups and downs of its success. It is very sad to note that in our days of the 21st cent the industry on the island is struggling for survival.
In this dire environment I started to talk to friends involved in this business about their perceptions and their ideas for a future of glass designed and produced on Murano.
These interviews took place in 2019 and have been recorded in Italian. There will be English subtitles. Please listen to and see the faces of personalities closely involved with a world representing industry, artisans, arts and science in this eminent field
CARLO NASON – The Artist / Artista Designer Tecnico Realizzatore
GUIDO FERRO – The Entrepreneur and Developer
GIANNI MORETTI – La Ercole Moretti
ROBERTO ROSSI – The Facilitator – Laboratorio Stampi Legno
MARIO D’ALPAOS – Engravings and Decoration – La S.A.L.I.R
SANDRO HREGLICH – The Chemist / La Stazione Sperimentale del Vetro
GIOVANNI SARPELLON – The Professor / Observations on Murano