Cover Story

THE MAGIC OF MURANO

from page 57

at how cones, squares, pyramids and spheres can go together. He
looked at ancient techniques and re-invented how to use them."
Because of Scarpa's innovation and influence on the future of
Murano glass, he also is the featured designer in the exhibition,
represented by nearly 100 objects.
The exhibition was curated by glass scholar
Marino Barovier, a descendent of Angelo
Barovier, the most distinguished glassblower of the
Renaissance and inventor of Venice's trademark
"Murano: Glass From the Olnick Spanu
cristallo (clear) glass. Barovier's work often appeared
Collection" runs Dec. 12, 2004-Feb. 27,
in the paintings of Renaissance master painters Titian
2005, at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
and Bellini.
Museum
hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Marino Barovier also is a personal friend of Olnick
Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 -9 Fridays
and Spanu's. Under his guidance, the exhibition has
and 10-5 Saturdays and Sundays.
been gleaned down to a comprehensive chronology of
Tickets (include museum admission and an
works from the years 1914 through 2002.
Acoustiguide
audio tour): individual adults,
In addition to Scarpa and Venini, artisans represent-
$10;
groups
(20+),
$8; youth ages 6-17, $5;
ed include early- to mid-20th-century glassblowers
DIA
members
and
youth
5 and younger, free.
such as Dino Martens (who was trained a painter)
or
Purchase
tickets
online
at
vvww.dia.org
and Thomas Stearns (a student at Bloomfield Hills'
onsite at the DIA box office 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cranbrook Academy of Art in the late 1950s), as
Tuesdays-Sundays. For group tickets, call
well as contemporary artists Benjamin
(313) 833 - 1292.
Moore, Yoichi Ohira and Laura Diaz de
The museum shop for "Murano" will fea-
Santillana — whose paternal grandfather
ture
objects of Murano glass ($30-$85; one of
was Jewish and whose maternal grandfather
a
kind
pieces for up to $3,500) and other
was Paolo Venini.
items
that represent the color and form of
From the vibrantly saturated blooms on
pieces
presented in the exhibition.
the Art Nouveau-inspired vessels by
At 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at the
Benvenuto Barovier in the early-1900s to
DIA, Nancy Olnick and Giorgio Spanu
Thomas Stearns' Abstract Expressionistic
participate in "Collectors' Conversation:
depiction of the morning light on a gon-
Murano Glass," moderated by DIA
dola's mooring to the textural, sculp-
Director Graham W.J. Beal, during
Gia Ponti, Venini 6 C., "Bottiglie
tural pieces of Yoichi Ohira, the
which the couple will discuss the
morandiane," 1946-1950.
Olnick Spanu collection on view at
joys of collecting. The Verdi
the DIA puts the re-burgeoning of
Opera Theater of Michigan
Murano glass into perspective for the amateur and elevates
presents "A Musical Salute to
the awe of the connoisseur.
Murano
and Venice" at 2 p.m.
It's also about the "passion for the objects," says Olnick.
"My mother, Sylvia, inspired me to appreciate beautiful
things. She gave me that gift."
But most of all, adds Olnick, "Glass is a very optimistic-
feeling material. It can appeal to people in so many ways.
Dino Martens, Aureliano Toso,
And it's absolutely wonderful to be able to share with so
'Eldorado," 1952-1954.
many people what has given us so much joy," she says.
"That's really why we did it." II

Cristiano Bianchin, Nidi,
"semi e fitsi," 1996

Thomas Steams, Venini
C, "La sentinella di Venezia,"
1962.

Laura Diaz de Santillana,
"Three Sculptures," 1999.

Yoichi Ohira, Finestre, "Il vento —
fiori Verdi," 1998.

12/10
2004

58

Tomaso Buzzi, V.S.M. Venini
C., "Turchese e nero," 1932.

Carlo Scarpa, MVM. Cappellin C., "Fenicio," 1928-1929; and Carlo Scarpa,
Venini C., Mmacchie," 1942. Scarpa is the featured artist in the "Murano" exhibit.