Glasstress 8 ½

Fondazione Berengo Murano, Italy

20 April 2024 — 24 November 2024

Murano, an island in the Venetian lagoon, is renowned for its centuries-old glass-making tradition. For over 35 years, Berengo Studio has been at the forefront of combining contemporary art with this ancient craft. The studio has become a hub where artists collaborate with skilled glass masters to transform the material into groundbreaking works of art. In addition to the studio, the Fondazione Berengo has been instrumental in supporting exhibitions and events around the world, while also showcasing its growing collection of glass art in Murano. One of the studio's signature initiatives is Glasstress, a biennial exhibition that explores the creative potential of glass in contemporary art. Launched in 2009, Glasstress returns to Murano for its eighth edition, Glasstress 8½, to coincide with the 60th Venice Biennale. This special expanded edition is a tribute to Fellini's iconic film 8½, which symbolises the theme of artistic creation. The Glasstress exhibition celebrates the dynamic fusion of tradition and innovation, providing a platform for contemporary artists to push the boundaries of glass as a medium. Visitors to Murano could experience the birthplace of these masterpieces and explore the transformation of glass into pure art, while the Venice Biennale offered a mirror of this experience to an international audience. Simon Berger exhibited some of his work alongside a prestigious list of internationally acclaimed artists including Ai Wei Wei, Tony Cragg, Laure Prouvost, Monica Bonvicini, Thomas Schütte and many more.