Untitled 

Editor: This arresting untitled sculpture, most likely glass, is by Lino Tagliapietra. It presents a captivating ensemble of slender, striped forms. The workmanship and the different shapes create a rather organic feel, don't you think? What should we consider when we are talking about Tagliapietra's body of work? Curator: Consider first the Venetian context. Tagliapietra comes from a long line of Murano glassmakers, participating in a craft tradition steeped in specific labor practices and techniques. His innovation lies in elevating those traditionally ‘craft’ skills to the realm of high art sculpture. Editor: So, it is really about pushing the boundaries between craft and fine art? Curator: Precisely. Look at the striped patterns. Are those merely decorative? Or do they highlight the process of glass blowing? How the material, when molten, is manipulated, stretched, and shaped by human intervention? We also must consider the conditions of labor required to produce such intricate work. Who are the artisans? How are they compensated? These questions situate the work within a socio-economic reality. Editor: I never would have thought of it that way. So we move beyond just appreciating the aesthetic and consider the social elements in its production. Curator: Indeed. Consider too, the consumption aspect. Where will this ultimately be displayed? A private collection? A corporate lobby? The ultimate location shapes its meaning as much as the artist’s initial intent. It turns it into a commodity within a larger economic framework. Editor: That is a whole different dimension to think about. I will be reflecting on that for a while!