Venice:
Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore – Le Stanze del Vetro - Glass from Finland in the
Bischofberger Collection. When you are in Venice, it always seems to be such a
trek to go to the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore, though, you do have a feeling of
going on a special expedition. As the
vaporetto crosses the Bacino di San Marco and the spectacular view of the
church of San Giorgio approaches leaving San Marco and Palazzo Ducale behind prepare
for two perfect postcard photo opportunities one in front and one behind you.
The short walk to the Stanze del Vetro down the fondamenta, where sailing boats
are moored, is special, and free of tourist, as are all the exhibitions, which
never disappoint, in the relatively young exhibition space.
Le
Stanze del Vetro: Glass from Finland in the Bischofberger Collection. Glass
from Finland in the Bischofberger Collection, is curated by Kaisa Koivisto and
Pekka Korvenmaa and on show until August 2. The 300 plus works celebrate the beauty
of artistic glass in this exhibition featuring masterpieces by the most
important Finnish designers of the 20th century; Aino and Alvar Aalto, Arttu
Brummer, Kaj Franck, Goran Hongell, Gunnel Nyman, Timo Sarpaneva, Oiva Toikka
and Tapio Wirkkala.
Above.
A showcase with designs by Gunnel Nyman – Mexican Hat – bowl – 1938.
Glass
from Finland in the Bischofberger Collection – 1920s-1930s. In the early 1920s, Finland used design as its manifesto, in an attempt to
establish its autonomy and its cultural sovereignty. Some of the country’s
greatest designers began to use glass to create works of art that blended
tradition and experimentation. After 1932
Finnish glass became known worldwide and served to reveal the skills and
creative talent of those who would soon be regarded as the visionary geniuses
of Scandinavian design – i.e. Arttu Brummer, Gunnel Nyman, Goran Hongell and
spouses Aino and Alvar Aalto.
Above.
Alvar Aalto – 1930s.
Gunnel
Nyman – String of Pearls – Vase – 1947
Aino
Marsio-Aalto – Pitcher and Tumblers – 1936
Tapio
Wirkkala - Chanterelle - vase -1946
Glass
from Finland in the Bischofberger Collection – 1950s. In the early 1950s, through the new spirit of
optimism and the international influence, designers and artists built up the
foundations of what will become known as “the golden age" of Finnish
glass. In order to meet the functional and psychological demands of its users,
designers started producing objects and works of art that were both
aesthetically sophisticated and mainly referred to nature by the free use of
organic shapes and curves. Along with internationally acclaimed designers such as Alvar Aalto,
other artists became the new stars of Scandinavian design, such as Kaj Franck,
Gunnel Nyman, and Tapio Wirkkala, who is considered to be the symbol of the
international success of post-war Finnish design.
Above.
Tapio Wirkkala – Vases – 1954.
Glass
from Finland in the Bischofberger Collection – 1960s. During the 1960s and the 1970s color and energy became the main focus of Finnish design; the
glass works became colorful and were given elaborate shapes. Oiva Toikka
designed glass birds, which became Iittala’s iconic brand. Through his
irreverent approach to the glass medium and tradition, Toikka represents the
connection between "the golden era" of the fabulous Fifties and a
more contemporary design.
Above.
Kaj Franck – 1960s.
Oiva
Toikka – Sculpture, Bird – 1975