Amidst the flurry of New York’s design week, the venerable Venetian glass atelier Laguna~B emerged with two captivating collaborations, showcasing an infectious joyousness through its masterful Murano glass creations.
Collaborations in Color and Form
Laguna~B partnered with two acclaimed New York design studios, Dusen Dusen and the lighting specialists In Common With, each known for their vibrant palettes and playful aesthetics. These collaborations, however, propelled their signature styles into uncharted artistic territories. In Common With shifted from their characteristic color-block lighting to introduce kaleidoscopic floral-inspired bulbs, while Dusen Dusen’s contribution yielded whimsical, anthropomorphic pitchers and intricately patterned drinking glasses.
The atelier, which has been meticulously crafting Murano glass by hand on the Venetian island since 1994, remains steadfast in its core philosophy. Each piece, rendered one at a time in the signature Goto style, features swirling colors and patterns inspired by artistic luminaries such as Miró and Calder, a commitment unwavering even amidst increasingly high-profile collaborations.
A Legacy of Craftsmanship and Pop Culture
Laguna~B’s influence has become increasingly apparent, extending beyond the design world into popular culture. In July 2023, a pair of their distinctive Goto glasses graced the set of Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie.” The same summer, their creations were featured as wedding favors at Jeff Bezos’s Venice ceremony. Prior collaborations with esteemed luxury houses such as Yves Saint Laurent, JW Anderson, and Frédéric Malle have further solidified the brand’s association with premium aesthetics.
“Murano glass is truly unpredictable,” shares Caterina Capelli, head of communications for Laguna~B. “Things don’t always turn out the way you expect.” This inherent unpredictability, she notes, is precisely the source of the atelier’s allure—the tactile, handcrafted, one-of-a-kind quality that resonates deeply with contemporary design studios and discerning consumers alike.
Artistry in Collaboration
The creation process for each collaboration differed. Dusen Dusen presented conceptual drawings and a shared appreciation for pop art, while In Common With’s Nick Ozemba journeyed to the Venetian studio to meticulously refine the designs. Ozemba immersed himself in the hot shop, adjusting proportions in real-time and responding intuitively to the evolving glass forms. “There’s a choreography to glassblowing, between the material and the maker, that’s difficult to grasp without being there,” he observed.
For Van Dusen, translating her distinctive color combinations and bold patterns into Laguna~B’s layered glass technique required innovative solutions that pushed the boundaries of the hot shop’s established practices. “It was so freeing to give them this very technical drawing, not knowing how they would achieve the design,” she remarked, highlighting the collaborative spirit that birthed the collection.
Concurrently, In Common With introduced their Lido Series, marking their debut into Murano glassware. Showcased at the studio’s Quarters event space during design week, the collection featured sconces, flush mounts, and a modular chandelier, with accompanying drinkware slated for release. “We’ve worked with glass many times before, but not at this level of lineage, where technique, place, and authorship are so tightly intertwined,” Ozemba stated. The series utilizes the murrine technique, a traditional Murano method where glass canes are layered, stretched, and sliced to create intricate patterns. Each lighting fixture shares a foundational structure but is individually distinguished by the inherent fluidity of the glass.
Felicia Hung, cofounder of In Common With, articulated the appeal of Laguna~B: “Laguna~B is a company that understands the process as the product,” in contrast to a market saturated with objects that merely “perform heritage without carrying it.” She observed a growing consumer discernment against pieces that mimic historical or design significance without genuine provenance.
This authenticity, Capelli emphasizes, is the essence of Murano glass. Each piece stands as a unique testament to hundreds of years of Italian craftsmanship, an irreplaceable artifact in an era where authenticity is paramount.
Business Style Takeaway: Laguna~B’s collaborations exemplify how artisanal craftsmanship, when infused with contemporary design and cultural relevance, elevates everyday objects into statement pieces that enhance personal environments and subtly communicate a sophisticated appreciation for enduring quality and artistic expression.
Source: : www.architecturaldigest.com