Magazzino Italian Art Presents Yoichi Ohira In Murano, Piero Manzoni’s Total Space, Arte Povera, And Sardinian Donkeys

From brightly colored bud vases with narrow stems that look like glazed porcelain with hand scrawled designs to an orb that mimics the appearance of shiru-wan (Japanese soup bowls) traditionally made from lacquered wood, the array of styles and finishes defy and transcend preconceived notions of glass art. Some embody architectural qualities, suggesting small windows, while others offer a peek inside through small openings that invite careful inspection of the nuances of each unique artwork. Some seem to be meticulously hand-painted, with the vase serving as a canvas, others magnify the human form. Myriad colors and textures draw the viewer into a complex dialogue on how each piece is achieved through an array of techniques, building a collective narrative on the art of glass making that spans centuries and geographies.

Among the provocative, groundbreaking exhibitions currently on view at Magazzino Italian Art in Cold Spring, New York, Yoichi Ohira: Japan in Murano, a retrospective of the Japanese-born, Venice-based glass artist’s work in the United States, challenges the viewer’s perception of a decorative medium that’s evolved into fine art.