Laura de Santillana. Oltre la materia wins the Premio Fondazione di Venezia

On 14th September the Festival Award Ceremony took place at Palazzo Franchetti, home of the Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti. Three hotly contested prizes were awarded: the Premio Glass in Venice (11th edition), the Premio Fondazione di Venezia per The Venice Glass Week (3rd edition) and the Autonoma Residency Price (4th edition). Moderated by Jean Blanchaert, the ceremony kicks off with the awarding of the Premio Glass in Venice to Guido Ferro and Giorgio Vigna. The prestigious award, organised by the Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti together with the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia, is presented to exceptional artists and masters in the field of artistic glass.

The third edition of the Premio Fondazione di Venezia was awarded to De Santillana Foundation Stichting and Gallerie dell’Accademia di Venezia for the exhibition Laura de Santillana. Oltre la materia curated by Rainald Franz and Michele Tavola. Before announcing the winner, the Prize Jury – made up of curator Jean Blanchaert, Chancellor of the Istituto Veneto Giovanna Palandri and General Councillor of the Fondazione di Venezia Paola Marini – gave a Special Mention to four other noteworthy exhibitions: A Destiny In Glass. 13 Artists at Vetreria Anfora, organised by Veniceartfactory and open until 13th October at SPARC* – Spazio Arte Contemporanea; Self-Portraits. Lilla Tabasso and Xavier F. Salomon: Homage to Rosalba Carriera, organised by Caterina Tognon arte contemporanea; Murano: Upcycling Glass at Museo del Vetro, organised by Consorzio Promovetro Murano with Regione del Veneto and Camera di Commercio Venezia e Rovigo, Comune di Venezia, Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia and CoReVe – Consorzio Recupero Vetro e Compagnia Energetica Italiana; Glass flowers. Minako Shimonagase’s Creations at Museo di Palazzo Mocenigo, organised by Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia and Comune di Venezia.

The fourth edition of the Autonoma Residency Prize was awarded to the Russian collective FRESH.GLASS, for their installation OIOIIO Luminairesin The Venice Glass Week HUB Under 35.

At the end of the ceremony, Lino Tagliapietra – whose works are currently on view in an exhibition at Ca’ Rezzonico – received a standing ovation and a heartfelt round applause, in recognition of his remarkable talents as one of Murano’s most internationally celebrated glass masters.