Anfora. A defining aspect of the company’s work is its collaboration with artists and designers of international standing, whose creations are given concrete form by the master glassmaker Andrea Zilio. Designed by such figures as Ritsue Mishima, Michele Burato, Ita Barbini, Massimo Micheluzzi, the fifteen works on display exemplifiy this fruitful partnership. There are also historical pieces and original works created for this occasion by the master glassmaker himself.

Dino Rosin Arte Studio. Dino and Diego Rosin exhibit here a composition in solid crystal glass and calcedonio that is entitled Evoluzione. It is inspired by the long genesis of life and the key role within that process of the element of water. This primary material plays a fundamental role in the electrochemical exchanges that are the key to any number of biological processes – from the emergence of the first microorganisms to the functioning of the human brain. It is thus a crucial element for the existence of self-awareness, for the feeling and understanding of emotions. Water hence embodies the ability to appreciate beauty, to create and admire it, to see its artistic, aesthetic and critical significance. Also on display is a sculpture created in 1991 by Loredano Rosin.

EFFE. Created for the occasion, the large sculpture in the garden portico of the museum is the work of Walter Furlan. It is inspired by a form that is of particular significance in Venice – that of a bridge. Various stylized animal-form sculptures (a cockerel, two cats…) interact with this piece. There will also be monochrome works by Mario Furlan in solid glass, each inspired by a mythological theme.

Formia (Fornace Mian). A composition in solid crystal glass worked in different ways, Universo femminile is inspired by the various roles and models of the contemporary woman. For all their individual complexity, each woman shares certain character traits – independence, sensuality, maternal feeling – which are, however, blended together in different ways, making each woman a single, original individual. Here, the accent is place on gestuality: the position of the arms – plus the various colours and techniques used in working the glass – all express different aspects of the same woman as well as the personalities of various different women.

Galliano Ferro. The various new creations on display use innovative ideas and techniques to conjure up the spirit that inspired the early glass-workers of Murano, who were not bound by considerations solely of production times and costs. There is here a sense of play within the medium of glass itself. Amongst the various striking results of this experimentation is an outsize table candelabra.

Gino Cenedese e Figlio. The display will include objects from the current product range and new pieces in which strong colours in transparent and opaque glass are combined with filigree and spiral decoration within simple and stylised forms. Each pieces illustrates the sense of continuity and development within the work of this significant Murano producer. Amongst the historic pieces is the famous vase in vetro sommerso with purple ‘counterpoint’ that was created in 1960 by Antonio Da Ros and exhibited that same year at the 30th Venice Biennale.

Simone e Giovanni Cenedese Murano. An installation of colourful large glass flowers that illustrates all the skill of the glassmaker. As often happens with Giovanni and Simone Cendese, the theme was chosen almost ‘by chance’ – in this case as a result of the fact that the work happened to be produced in springtime. There will also be various other pieces which illustrate how the company explores the possibilities of colour.

NasonMoretti. The clean lines and sculptural form of these vases, glasses and pitchers are examples of the company’s range, in which the age-old techniques of hand milling and polishing are employed to contemporary ends. The thick layer of transparent crystal over a layer of coloured glass gives form to asymmetrical volumes that change outline according to the position from which they are viewed. The ‘historic’ product range is represented by the legendary collection of twin-colour glasses and dishes designed by Umberto Nason which won the Golden Compass award at the 1955 Milan Triennale.

Nuova Biemmeci. A new series of pieces, produced especially for the exhibition by Stefano Mattiello to designs by Massimo Nordio (working in collaboration with his young son, Ioel). Each piece is a new interpretation of such functional objects as wine glasses, bowls, pitchers and stem vases, providing the glassmaker with the opportunity to demonstrate his refined technical mastery. The virtuoso skill of the company’s glassmakers is also illustrated by a number of pieces from its past.

S.A.L.I.R. The company has a range of glass creations of inestimable value dating back as far as the 1930s. The range of figures who have worked with the company will be illustrated with pieces that are the fruit of collaboration with such artists and designers as Guido Balsamo Stella, Vittorio Zecchin, Ettore Sottsass, Marco Zanini, Renato Guttuso, Riccardo Licata, Vincenzo Eulisse and Robert Wilson.

Seguso Viro. Giampaolo Seguso presents a number of clearly poetical works. Vases become sculptures, passing from functional objects to expressions of emotion. The pieces created for the occasion – horses heads emerging from the transparent mass of the glass – are pure demonstrations of technical mastery, whilst the early inspiration for this type of work is illustrated by the powerfully symbolic figurative creations from the early 1990s. There are also “vases as poetry”. Adorned with the engraving of a head, these come from the collections Vetri con anima (1995) and Pagine di Vetro (2007). Each piece is a creative challenge which, as always, combines the striving for technical perfection with the exploration of meaning and significance.