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His arrival at Venini corresponds with the disappearance of its founder and artis- tic director, Paolo Venini, replaced by his son-in-law, architect Ludovico de Santillana. From the very beginning, Stearns collaborates with the master glassmaker, «Checco» Ongaro who follows him passionately in his original projects.
In 1962, Stearns participates in the 31st Venice Biennale. He won a gold medal with six of his works, but he will never be able to withdraw this first prize which is reserved only for Italian artists.For the first time his complete collection, designed between 1961 and 1962, is on display. These 80 asymmetrical pieces, rich in chromatic effects with high contrast, evoke in their beauty the Venetian reality.For these small series of vases and lamps, unique pieces or author’s essays, he often uses the technique of Incalmo, a combination of different colors of glass welded together hot, to create a single piece blown in multiple shades .
The Facciate di Venezia - The Facades of Venice -, Il Cappello del Doge - The Doge’s Hat - and The Sentinella di Venezia - The Venice Sentinel - are among his most famous works.
Its beautiful vases are the living symbol of unparalleled virtuosity and pay homage to this Venetian tradition both by their purity and by their magical nuances, glimmers stolen from the tints of the eternal and mysterious Venice and forever enshrined in its glass works, a unique talent.
THOMAS STEARNS ET VENINI Curator Marino Barovier
The Stanze Del Vetro Fondazione Cini - Venice, San Giorgio Maggiore Island
from 9 September 2019 to 5 January 2020 www.lestanzedelvetro.org www.cini.it