Masai (Masai d’Oro) 2011

Lino Tagliapietra's *Masai* is a constellation of spear-like forms—golden, amber, bronze, and copper—all reaching upward, as if miming growth or floating to the surface. I want to know how these pieces came into being; I imagine the liquid glass, hot and viscous, coaxed into these shapes through trial, error, and intuition. It makes me think of my own process as a painter. What was Tagliapietra thinking? Was he trying to capture the precise moment that light bends and reflects off the molten material? Did he plan the intricate patterns and textures beforehand, or did they evolve spontaneously? Each mark seems to communicate a particular feeling. Some are etched with fine, parallel lines, while others have a more organic, flowing texture. Tagliapietra’s experimentation with the possibilities of glass reminds me of the way painters explore the materiality of paint. Artists are always in dialogue with each other, across time and medium, each building upon the discoveries and innovations of those who came before. Ultimately, it’s about allowing for ambiguity, embracing uncertainty, and inviting multiple interpretations.