Hama Hama 

Editor: This arresting glass sculpture is titled "Hama Hama," and it’s by Lino Tagliapietra. The material and its treatment are what strike me initially. It is intensely orange, almost like molten lava, with a pattern inside that is very captivating. How would you interpret it? Curator: Let’s start with what’s tangible. It’s not just glass, it's Murano glass, which is paramount. Considering Tagliapietra's roots on Murano island, the means and the location of its production tell a compelling story. Think about the history of glassblowing there. The techniques, the traditions passed down through generations of artisans - it all influences the final piece. And orange itself…where does that come from? What’s added to the raw material to give that intense color? Editor: So, you see the process of its making as integral to the meaning. It is about materiality? Curator: Precisely. Every line, every curve, is a consequence of manipulating a challenging medium. It pushes us to consider what constitutes “art” versus "craft," as Tagliapietra comes from a community of very skilled 'artisans'. And let’s consider consumption - glassblowing is intensely energy consumptive. How might that figure into the context of our environmental reality today? What considerations do you think the artist might have thought about during the creative process? Editor: I hadn't considered the labor and resources that go into it. So the visual impact is also a result of energy, and cultural practices that produce the art. Curator: Exactly. By recognizing the processes and materials, and challenging its boundaries as merely decorative or sculptural, the artist elevates "Hama Hama" to speak to a history of production and place. Editor: I’ll definitely be viewing all artworks through the lens of material analysis from now on. Curator: Indeed, it will help ground our impressions.