Emmanuel Babled  (English, Hardcover, unknown)

This catalogue complements the solo show of the glass designer Emmanuel Babled held by the Bevilacqua La Masa Foundation at the Venice Architecture Biennial. The works on exhibit belong to the new "Toys" series and are an exclusive production for the prestigious Venini glassworks. Three lines of articles are displayed, each very different in terms of form and aesthetics, but identical in their aim to introduce contemporary themes on to the original practice of glass. The 'Genetics' series resemble little polychrome animals; their stylised geometry is reminiscent of tropical marine organisms, of parts of the body, of the latest generation surgical protheses, fungi or even human-like futuristic creatures. The basic form is spherical but they stand up on legs, protuberances, bases or tentacles. 'Megalits' are reflections on the vase form, taking up again ideas that Babled previously called 'Oversize' Here, the size of blown glass is taken to its extreme, just below the point at which it will shatter. The structure is asymetric and the irregularity accentuated by the combination of colours: stripes, spirals, even buboes protuding from the vase itself.The 'Units' seem to be the most improbable versions of those table ornaments that have alsways been made of glass, from ashtrays to stoppers. Their compoition seems almost extraterrestrial - curving skyscrapers of glass, seemingly space ships with portholes and even flying saucers.