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Master Italian artisans have been creating hand-blown glass on the tiny Venetian island of Murano since the 13th century – glass renowned the world over for its craftsmanship, technical prowess and trademark vivid colours. The Gazzabin family have been an integral part of this extraordinary lineage since as early as 1585, the family name eventually evolving into the Vistosi brand, a name synonymous with Murano’s intangible cultural heritage.
But the island’s glass industry is under threat, impacted by factors including a plethora of cheap replicas, rising production costs related to the European gas crisis and the length of time it takes to train new generations of artisan glass-blowers. For Australian lighting company Mondoluce, which specialises in Italian-made lights, supporting this centuries-old industry is paramount.
“The authenticity and premium quality of true ‘made in Italy’ Murano glass lighting is unmistakeable and, through our strong relationships with Italian lighting brands, we’re thrilled to be giving Australian consumers the opportunity to fall in love with this classic artform,” says Fionnuala McCarthy, Mondoluce’s general manager. “We’ve had the honour of seeing behind the scenes at these brands’ amazing glass-making factories and have developed a strong appreciation of the skill required to make products of such exquisite beauty. We are particularly proud to showcase Vistosi’s creations, which are considered some of the best in the industry.”
Vistosi blends traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge concepts to create contemporary pieces at the forefront of lighting design, as evidenced in both the Faro and Plissé collections. The Faro pendant and ceiling light, created by legendary Italian lighting designer Oriano Favaretto, takes the lighthouse as its touchstone and comprises two glass components – a transparent, lightly coloured form at the top and a smaller white form at the base – connected by a metal ring.
“The authenticity and premium quality of true ‘made in Italy’ Murano glass lighting is unmistakeable and, through our strong relationships with Italian lighting brands, we’re thrilled to be giving Australian consumers the opportunity to fall in love with this classic artform,” says Fionnuala McCarthy, Mondoluce’s general manager.
The fluid, harmonious movements of jellyfish inform the Plissé light, the work of Venice-based Chiaramonte Marin Design Studio. Alfredo Chiaramonte and Marco Marin have created a range of exquisite pendant lamps, where the blown glass of the oversized diffuser encloses a pleated fabric lampshade, imbuing any space with a range of shades, transparencies and textures. Plissé won an Archiproducts Design Award in 2023, the fifth ADA award Vistosi has won in less than a decade.
Faro and Plissé form just a small part of Vistosi’s extraordinary range, one that Mondoluce is deeply honoured to bring to Australian consumers. “We will keep doing our part to foster Australian appreciation for these works to ensure this craft continues to be valued for centuries to come,” says McCarthy.
