Venini celebrated its 90 years of history by presenting a fascinating exhibition at the Museo Bagatti Valsecchi. Walking through the charm of its classic artistic glass works, Venini 1921 – 2011 presentation showed Venini’s unmistakable passion within the glass world.
Venini, in the spirit of bringing together great artistry in glass artisanship and the fertile inventiveness of the foreign duo, entrusted the Brazilian Campana brothers with the creation of a work which symbolises the celebrations: the Fragments floor lamp, a unique work which marries fragments of vases with glass from the Venini kilns; it is thus based on sustainability and reuse of pre-existing materials and products, a principle which important to the Campana brothers.
Studio Job produced a series of new lamps and a single magnificent chandelier. The Amolfini chandelier is described as a floating still life, while the five lamps each take a different character. There is a tea pot, a bowler hat, a chocolate pot, a face, and a vase. All pieces are of blown glass, rich in color and remarkable in shape.
About Museo Bagatti Valsecchi
Housed in Palazzo Bagatti Valsecchi, in the heart of Milan, is one of the finest museum-homes in Europe. It is now a private foundation, set up by the Bagatti Valsecchi heirs to open the family’s late 19th century residence and collections of artworks to the public.
Since 1994 it has been possible to visit the house’s many fascinating rooms in which the 19th century interiors are embellished by outstanding collections, of Renaissance origin or inspiration: paintings, wood carvings and furnishings, weapons and armour, ceramic and glass wares, artefacts in gold and ivory, decorative metal objects, tapestries.
The Museo Bagatti Valsecchi is also a centre for research, organizing courses, seminars and conferences. Its publications focus on various facets of 19th century culture.
In 1883 the brothers Fausto and Giuseppe Bagatti Valsecchi, of noble descent, inaugurated the new façade of their palazzo, tucked between Via Santo Spirito and Via Gesù, in the center of Milan. Their plan to turn it into a home inspired by the dwelling-places of the 16th century Lombard aristocracy had thus come to fruition. And in keeping with their intent, the house was furnished–inside and out–with Renaissance artefacts and mottoes in Italian and Latin.
Every room was embellished with beautifully made household items, finest-quality furnishings and works of art. But the interiors were conceived first and foremost as a place to live in, and the age-old domestic objects accumulated by these two zealous collectors were in fact put into normal everyday use.
Fausto and Giuseppe were both actively involved in plans for the building and its splendour is a tribute to their tireless efforts. However, their dedication to collecting and to interior design – an area where, for non-professionals, they showed exceptional talent – did not distract them from their commitments as members of the best Milanese society. They participated to the full in its events and rituals; they were known particularly for their pioneering involvement in sport, with a passionate interest in – among other things – cycling and ballooning.
