CURRENT EXHIBITION

Lino Tagliapietra in Retrospect: A Modern Renaissance in Glass

October 3, 2008—January 11, 2009

Tagliapietra, who was trained in traditional Venetian glass-blowing techniques, traveled between the glass centers of Venice, Italy, and the Pacific Northwest and brought with him the closely guarded techniques of the Murano glassworks. In 1979, he was invited by Dale Chihuly and Benjamin Moore to teach at the recently established Pilchuck Glass School near Seattle. Tagliapietra is widely credited with changing the course of contemporary studio glass through his teaching.

“The Smithsonian American Art Museum is delighted to host the first retrospective of Lino Tagliapietra’s work at its Renwick Gallery,” said Elizabeth Broun, The Margaret and Terry Stent Director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. “Tagliapietra’s enormous influence on studio glass can be seen in the work of several artists represented in the museum’s collection, including Dale Chihuly, Dan Dailey and Dante Marioni, who also are now masters of their craft.”

The exhibition will feature 140 works from Tagliapietra’s 40-year career, including pivotal works from the artist’s own collection and collections around the world, as well as designs made for industry and objects that have never been exhibited. “Lino Tagliapietra in Retrospect: A Modern Renaissance in Glass” was organized by the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Wash. The exhibition curator is Susanne Frantz, former curator of 20th-century glass at the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, N.Y.; the coordinator in Washington is Robyn Kennedy, chief of the Renwick Gallery.

“This exhibition is a wonderful chance to highlight the work of one of the elder statesmen of glass,” said Kennedy. “Lino is not only an educator and exquisite craftsman but one of the most innovative glass artists today. His work continues to develop and push the boundaries of the medium.”

The exhibition at the Renwick will include Tagliapietra’s impressive “Endeavor” series inspired by designs from Viking boats and Amazon canoes; groupings of his masterful goblets; a selection of rare bonboniere, tiny glass replicas of some of his favorite works given as party favors to friends; a series of bowed vessels he calls “Batman”; and his signature “Dinosaur” forms, a series of perfectly balanced abstract vessels with swooping necks that combine color, form and texture.

Read press release

Visit Museum