Italian influence in Contemporary Glass Show at Steuben New York

Italian influence in Contemporary Glass Show at Steuben New York

A current exhibit at the Steuben flagship store in New York City, curated by the Corning Museum of Glass, offers a great glimpse of how much the Murano maestros have influenced the American Art Glass movement since the 1960’s. The whole learning cycle started with Dale Chihuly, who interned with Venini beginning in 1968. This seminal event opened the floodgate of collaboration that has helped American glass artists master their craft and develop their own signature styles and techniques.

The exhibit, contained in one room is an excellent introduction to the many of the techniques traditionally attributed to Murano masters, including less often seen cold work techniques battutto and inciso. The difficult art of creating Murrine was also on displayed magnificently by Richard Marquis, whose recreation of the Lord’s prayer in murrine was amazing (see photo). I have seen initials, and maybe a few words or an image created in murrine, but the entire Lords prayer was impressive. I cannot imagine how difficult and time consuming it was to create. Dale Chihuly’s work was well represented with a few vases, and a wonderful diaphanous pink glass sculpture, reminiscent of a conch. My impression of the entire exhibit was one of wonderful craftsmanship, all of the glass was executed flawlessly, with a whimsical modern touch. The craftsmanship, passion, and technical mastery of each item are superb.

	Vase by Vase by Dale Chihuly		The lord's prayer created in a Murrine by Richard Marquis		Inciso Vases
	A vase and a little car by Isabelle Poilprez		Cold worked vases and bowl		Dale Chihuly sculpture