Fabio Fornasier

ABOUT
US

The Fornasier Glass Factory

The Fornasier Glass Factory, established in Murano over five decades ago, owes its origins to the enterprising spirit, expertise, and technical acumen of Master Glassmaker Luigi Fornasier, a respected authority in the craft of Venetian chandeliers.

Maestro Fabio Fornasier, son of a renowned glass artisan, heeded his father Luigi’s guidance and excelled to become a Master at a young age. He merged his inherited technical prowess with an innate curiosity, devoted to ceaseless exploration of varied shapes, volumes, colors, and finishes. Some of his designs, at times experimental, aim to breathe life into singular creations, distinguished for their meticulous craftsmanship, graceful fluidity, and consistently surprising originality.

With a touch of irony, Maestro Fabio Fornasier fondly refers to his masterpieces as “Illuminating Works”. Already showcased in museums, his creations boast a distinct and unmistakable style, demonstrating how traditional Murano craft techniques can serve contemporary artistic ingenuity. For Maestro Fabio Fornasier, this is not merely a profession but a chosen way of life.

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ARTIST
CREATIVE

Fabio Fornasier

Born in 1963, Fabio Fornasier grew up immersed in the rich heritage of glass art, learning the intricate craft from his father, Luigi. This early exposure ignited his passion for the art form, which he has since elevated to new heights through his own expressive interpretation.

With a natural talent for drawing, honed during his time alongside his father in the furnace, Fabio swiftly developed an innate dexterity with glass. His remarkable ability allowed him to effortlessly sculpt and mold the material into stunning artistic chandeliers, showcasing an early proficiency in tackling challenging and intricate techniques.

The creations of Fabio Fornasier epitomize a harmonious fusion of tradition and innovation. Possessing an eclectic persona, he seamlessly blends traditional craftsmanship with a fertile imagination and an entrepreneurial drive that propels him to constantly reimagine the familiar into something unique. His work embodies a flawless integration of artistry and practicality.

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With an enduring quest for fresh inspiration, Fabio Fornasier has imparted his philosophy at numerous renowned international schools of glass art and design.

A relentless journey of learning and experimentation, enriched by travels and encounters with the contemporary art scene, melded with eclectic influences from distant sources, has cultivated Fabio Fornasier’s discerning aesthetic sensibilities, culminating in the creation of the LU chandelier.

Driven by an unyielding desire for growth, embracing challenges, and a penchant for experimentation, Maestro Fornasier has actively engaged in significant international projects and exhibitions over the years. His endeavors have not only garnered accolades and awards but have also secured prestigious placements in museum exhibitions.

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CHANDELIER
DESIGN

Chandelier Design

LU Murano

LU Murano is a unique concept chandelier design at once revolutionary and traditional. Sinuous blown-glass shapes combined in dynamic motion, as though ruffled by a light breeze.

Each piece is meticulously crafted, shaped and blown by hand by the artist at exceptionally high temperatures. These chandeliers are akin to a glass ikebana, with elements artfully assembled one by one. Each chandelier is a one-of-a-kind, entirely handmade masterpiece, making a bold and distinctive statement, adding an unmatched allure to any space.

Available in a myriad of colors, transparencies, translucencies, and reflections, each chandelier stands as a unique testament to the artist’s creativity and personal journey, transcending trends and market expectations. Its innovative and contemporary design, created using traditional glass-working techniques, effortlessly complements classical interiors while also serving as a captivating focal point in modern spaces.

Indeed, LU represents a seamless blend of innovation and tradition, where the artisan’s skill intersects with technological creativity. Each piece is a true work of art, presenting an unprecedented and unparalleled chandelier experience.

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EXHIBITIONS
EVENTS

Exhibitions and Awards

On the enchanting island of Murano, nestled in the Venetian lagoon, resides a peerless craft tradition renowned the world over. Across centuries, master glassmakers have meticulously passed down their closely-guarded techniques from one generation to the next, sculpting a narrative of unparalleled expertise and garnering global admiration.

The art of creating exquisite Murano glass chandeliers, crafted to the most sophisticated and elegant standards, unfolds through the adept application of centuries-old technical prowess within the island’s historic furnaces. These iconic creations have graced the grandeur of international palaces and halls, retaining their delicate and ornamental intricacies unscathed by the passage of time. While this environment proves immensely fertile for artisans, it also poses challenges within a market driven by a relentless pursuit of genuine originality.
This captivating milieu bears testimony to the craftsman’s dedication, culminating in timeless masterpieces that resonate with true artistic originality and unrivaled magnificence.

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In the competitive realm of glass craft, skilled manual dexterity must evolve to embrace innovative expressions, all while remaining steadfast in preserving tradition. The demand for innovation is paramount in creating new and captivating artifacts that remain true to the esteemed quality standards deeply rooted in the island’s heritage. Born into the world of glass, Fabio Fornasier, following in the illustrious footsteps of his father Luigi, attained the esteemed title of master glassmaker at a young age. Since then, he has continually embarked on a quest to explore new forms, colors, finishes, and the finest artistic rendition of his creations.

Fornasier’s oeuvre is distinctly individual and instantly recognizable, distinguishing itself among other glass furnaces. Leveraging the traditional artisanal expertise of Murano, he has channeled it into the realm of contemporary artistic creativity to produce chandeliers that transcend mere fixtures, evolving into veritable installations. Their graceful and fluid forms retain the characteristic mechanical structure, wherein all glass components are meticulously applied to birth entirely novel objects. His crowning achievement, LU-Murano, is a chandelier in perpetual metamorphosis, steadfast in retaining its distinctive essence, setting it apart from its peers, boasting a unique persona.
Fornasier’s remarkable body of work underscores an established artist’s illustrious career trajectory, marked by unyielding dedication, technical prowess, and an unwavering commitment to artistic innovation.

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Personal Exhibitions
  • 2019 Italy – Venice “Murano Sottovuoto al Florian” – Caffè Florian, Piazza San Marco, Venice
  • 2013 Italy – Venice “ilLUsion” – Hotel Liassìdi Palace, Venezia
  • 2008 Italy – Venice “LU(in)niverso –Venetian Institute of Sciences Letters and Arts – Palazzo Cavalli Franchetti
  • 2008 Italy – Venice “Eros VS Thanatos” – Centrale Lounge
  •  2007 Italy – Milan “Oriente” – Make Up Studio Diego Dalla Palma
  • 2006 Italy – Brescia “VI” – Antica Cantina Fratta Berlucchi
  • 2005 Italy – Venice “Schizzi DiVini” – Wine on canvas ft. Andrea Penzo – Galleria Imagina
  • 2005 Italy – Venice “Inferno” – Centrale Lounge
  • 2004 Italy – Padova “Not there – here” – Galleria Zero Karati
  • 1999 Italy – Zurich “Screpoai” – Sela Gallery
  • 1999 Italy – Venice “Artisti Emergenti” – Galleria San Nicolò
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Collective Exhibitions
  • 2022 Italy – Murano “The Italian Glass Weeks” – Fabio Fornasier Glass Studio
  • 2022 Italy – Murano “Homo Faber in Città” – Venice
  • 2018 Italy – Murano “The After” – The Venice Glass Week – Murano Gallery LUAB 4.0
  • 2018 Italy – Murano “Lux Lumen” – GAS 2018 – Berengo Exhibition Space
  • 2017 Italy – Murano “Light Blowing” – The Venice Glass Week – Murano Gallery LUAB 4.0
  • 2016 Italy – Murano “Murano Oggi” – Murano Glass Museum
  • 2016 Italy – Venezia “Design.ve”
  • 2016 Italy – Villa dei Vescovi “Glass.Arte del Vetro Oggi” – Luvigliano di Torreglia (PD)
  • 2012 China – Shanghai “Tradizione e Innovazione – L’Italia in Cina” Shanghai Italian Center – Triennale di Milano
  • 2011 Latvia – Riga “Glasstress” – Art Museum Riga Bourse
  • 2007 South Korea – Cheongju “Cheongju International Biennale”
  • 2007 Italy – S.Vito al Tagliamento – “Vitraria”
  • 2006 Italy – Venezia “10° Mostra Internazionale di Architettura” – Spezio CZ Biennale di Venezia
  • 2005 Italy – S.Vito Tagliamento “Vitraria”
  • 2004 Italy – S.Vito Tagliamento “Vitraria”
  • 2004 Italy – Venice “Vetri nel Mondo oggi” – Palazzo Cavalli Franchetti
  • 1998 Italy – Venice “Venezia Aperto Vetro” – Palazzo Ducale Venezia
  • 1997 USA – Seattle “History of the World Gallery”
  • 1997 France – La Riche “Salon International des Artistes Verriers”
  • 1996 Italy – Venice “Venezia Aperto Vetro” – Murano Glass Museum
Museum Collections
  • Glass Museum – Murano, Italy -LU Murano Chandelier-
  • Berengo Exhibition Space – Murano, Italy -VI Chandelier-
  • Gerovassiliou Wine Museum – Epanomi, Greece -VI Chandelier-
  • Philips Museum – Eindhoven, Netherlands -LU Murano Chandeliers-
Awards
  • 2010 England Winner UK Lighting Design Awards of the year 2010
  • 2007 South Korea – Cheongju “5th Cheongju International Competition” – Third place -VI Chandelier-
  • 1996 Italy – Venezia “Venezia Aperto Vetro” – First prize in the youth section
Teaching
  • Denmark – Bornholm Bornholm Glas Keramiksojolen
  • France – Vannes Le Chatel CERVAF
  • England – London Royal College of Art
  • Italy – Murano Scuola del Vetro Abate Zanetti
  • Italy – Bolzano Vetroricerca
  • Netherlands – Amsterdam Gerrit Rietveld Academy
  • USA – Washington DC Pilchuck Glass School
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