Milan-based artist Lilla Tabasso is redefining contemporary glass art by merging biological precision with the traditional Murano lampworking technique. Her latest installation at the Fondazione Dries Van Noten’s inaugural exhibition, The Only True Protest Is Beauty, features hyper-realistic botanical sculptures that capture flowers at the end of their life cycles. By immortalizing wilting tulips and bruised petals in glass, Tabasso explores the tension between natural decay and permanent craftsmanship, challenging the traditional pursuit of aesthetic perfection in art.
How does biological observation inform glass sculpture?
Tabasso’s transition from a background in biology to glass artistry provides the technical foundation for her work. According to the artist, her scientific training allows her to move beyond simple documentation, turning glass into an emotional portrait of botanical processes. Unlike traditional decorative glass, which often emphasizes symmetry and brilliance, her pieces replicate specific, imperfect states of nature—such as a leaf drying or a stem bending under its own weight.
Why is the “Vanitas” tradition resurfacing in modern craft?
Tabasso’s work aligns with the historical vanitas tradition, which uses floral imagery to remind viewers of life’s transience. While 17th-century painters utilized oil on canvas to depict wilting blooms, Tabasso uses the permanence of Murano glass to create a modern paradox. By preserving a structure that is inherently temporary, she forces a confrontation between the fragility of the living world and the endurance of human-made objects.
This approach stands in contrast to mass-produced decorative floral art, which often prioritizes “everlasting” perfection. By choosing to sculpt the decay of a flower, Tabasso highlights an environmental anxiety, grounding her craft in a contemporary dialogue about our changing relationship with nature.
What are the future trends for glass artistry?
The integration of specialized scientific knowledge into traditional craft is a growing trend among contemporary makers. Tabasso’s self-taught approach to the male-dominated Murano lampworking industry demonstrates a shift toward individualistic, research-based artistry. As noted by the Fondazione Dries Van Noten, the inclusion of such works in high-profile exhibitions signals a broader market move toward “narrative-driven craft,” where the value lies in the artist’s conceptual process rather than solely the material’s inherent luxury.
Frequently Asked Questions
What material does Lilla Tabasso use for her sculptures?
Tabasso works exclusively with Murano glass, utilizing the lampworking technique to sculpt each petal, leaf, and root individually.
Where can I see Lilla Tabasso’s work?
Her work is currently featured at the Fondazione Dries Van Noten’s exhibition, The Only True Protest Is Beauty, located at the Palazzo Pisani Moretta in Venice.
How does Tabasso achieve such high levels of realism?
Her realism is the result of applying biological observation to her craft, allowing her to accurately replicate the textures and structural transformations found in nature.
Interested in the intersection of traditional craft and modern philosophy? Subscribe to our newsletter for deep dives into contemporary art exhibitions or explore our archive on the evolution of Murano glass.