Dale Chihuly called him “perhaps the worlds greatest living glassblower." That's some serious respect coming from the “rock star” of glass.
Lino Tagliapietra, who will visit the TMA Glass Pavilion in March, is an internationally recognized premier artist. Born in Murano, Italy, where he exhibited prodigal talent at an early age, Tagliapietra began an apprenticeship with glass master, Archimede Serguso at the age of twelve. A dozen years later he earned the prestigious title of maestro spending the next twenty five years perfecting his craft with the best Italian Muranese glass companies.
His influence on the art glass studio movement in the United States began with his collaboration with Chihuly, who visited Murano in 1968, when they began to share technique secrets. In 1979, Tagliapietra was invited to teach at the renowned Pilchuck Glass School in Washington State. Working with unfamiliar tools and speaking no English, Tagliapietra created unique pieces of glass using techniques that had rarely, if ever, been seen in the United States. He imparted that traditionally guarded trade knowledge of Italian glassmaking to American artists.
Experiments and innovation
In the 80s, Tagliapietra began to concentrate less on teaching and designing for glass manufacturers and more on creating as an independent studio artist. Expanding his technical resources by combining modern experimentation with centuries-old Italian techniques, Tagliapietra made artistic decisions in front of the furnace seeking "spontaneous perfection" as part of the process. During his 70-year career, the Italian master glass blower has created magnificent works, raising the international standards of glass craftsmanship and gaining world wide admiration from artists and collectors alike.
The dialogue continues
As part of the Guest artist Pavilion Project(GAPP), the Toledo Museum of Art is offering the rare opportunity to view Maestro Tagliapietra at work in the Glass Pavilion Hot Shop. GAPP, was specifically designed to encourage visiting artists to be inspired by the TMA's collection and promote dialogue within the glass and art communities. Glass artists and those who appreciate great works should not miss this event.
Ticketed public demonstrations will be held from Wednesday, March 26 through Friday, March 28 for $30 per session, mornings, 9am-noon and afternoon sessions 1-4pm each day. These sessions promise to be a sell-out, call 419-255-8000 ext. 7448 during Museum hours to purchase tickets. Toledo Museum of Art's Glass Pavilion, 2445 Monroe St. toledomuseum.com
