Makah 2007

Curator: Here we have Lino Tagliapietra's "Makah," a blown glass sculpture created in 2007. What’s your first impression? Editor: It looks like a jewel, or some exotic sea creature. The colors seem to swirl within its transparent body, like a trapped sunset. Curator: The teardrop shape is compelling. The form resonates across cultures, suggesting fertility, tears, or even a stylized seed. The vertical lines add a layer of visual complexity, and echo ancient vessel designs. Editor: It feels both futuristic and primal, like a relic found in a time capsule. It seems to capture movement despite being static, like a dance frozen in glass. Curator: Tagliapietra was a master of Murano glass techniques, he blends tradition and innovation here. Note the control he exerted to form such an apparently fluid shape, as it contrasts with his striking use of geometric precision inside. Editor: Yes, there's something undeniably calming, almost meditative, about it. The more you stare, the more details pop, swirling shades dancing. Its luminescence and smooth geometry feel spiritually invigorating. Curator: In psychological terms, it can symbolize the self: transparent, yet containing hidden depths, the intermingling colors mirroring the layers of human experience. It can almost seem as though its internal space beckons, offering us the possibility to fill its transparency with our dreams. Editor: Perhaps what fascinates me the most is its duality – fragility and resilience perfectly captured in this glass sculpture. It’s a vessel of light and colour, encapsulating the ethereal beauty of the moment. Curator: Absolutely, and thank you for articulating the many things that makes this sculpture unforgettable. Editor: My pleasure, It feels special to spend time just looking at this with you.