Michela Cattai on Glass as Living Matter: Three Venice Projects in 2026
In a conversation with exibart, glass artist Michela Cattai from Venice elaborates on her exploration through three projects set for 2026: Alberi, Frequenza della forma, and ContemporaryMateria, all of which will be showcased at Homo Faber 2026 at Fondazione Giorgio Cini and during The Venice Glass Week. Cattai views these projects as interconnected studies of glass as a dynamic entity. Alberi delves into themes of organic growth; Frequenza della forma examines surface dynamics; and ContemporaryMateria highlights the essence of materiality through the use of hot glass to create inclusions. She emphasizes the vital connection between matter, light, and transformation, promoting the idea of slow observation. Her ties to Murano shape her artistic approach, where technique aligns with the project’s vision, turning glass into modern sculpture.
Fatti principali
- Michela Cattai is currently engaged in three projects in Venice in 2026.
- The projects are Alberi, Frequenza della forma, and ContemporaryMateria.
- They are presented at Homo Faber 2026: An Island of Light at Fondazione Giorgio Cini and at the tenth edition of The Venice Glass Week.
- ContemporaryMateria evolved from her earlier project ArcheoMateria.
- Salice and Quercia were created in collaboration with master glassmaker Andrea Salvagno.
- Cattai describes glass as a living material that retains memory, tension, and transformation.
- She emphasizes that matter, light, and transformation cannot be separated in glass.
- She argues that in contemporary art, technical skill alone is insufficient; the project and the question behind the work give technique direction.
Entità
Artisti
- Michela Cattai
- Andrea Salvagno
- Luigi Colonna
Istituzioni
- exibart
- Fondazione Giorgio Cini
- Homo Faber 2026: An Island of Light
- The Venice Glass Week
- TVGW HUB
- Contemporary Glass
Luoghi
- Venezia
- Italy
- Murano
- Burgundy
Fonti
- Exibart —