From Venice to America, the world premiere of this major international show has landed on the shores of the U.S. after three years of preparation. “Glasstress 2021 Boca Raton” is on view through September 5th — featuring free virtual programs for the global public to enjoy online. This new video features some of the world’s leading contemporary artists, including Ai Weiwei, making history at the glassmaking studios in Venice.

 
Three years in the making, with 2020 being such a challenging year to coordinate an international exhibition of this size and scope due to the pandemic, this effort serves as an important reassurance that art is an essential and enduring part of humanity.

Some of the world’s leading contemporary artists were invited to breathe new life into centuries-old glassmaking in Venice to create these new works ― maestros of glassblowing from the legendary Berengo Studio residency helped these art stars manifest their visions. The exhibition presents 34 new works that explore some of today’s pressing subjects, including human rights, the pandemic, climate change, racial justice, gender issues and politics.
Among the 34 artists in this new exhibition:

• Ai Weiwei, Fred Wilson, Joyce J. Scott, Jimmie Durham, Ugo Rondinone, Fiona Banner, Vik Muniz, Monica Bonvicini, Jake & Dinos Chapman, Laure Prouvost, Renate Bertlmann, Thomas Schütte, Loris Greaud, and Erwin Wurm. Most of these works have never been seen elsewhere.

This Glasstress 2021 exhibition is also a tribute to the resilience of Venice’s surviving the floods, and continuing to make art through the pandemic. Some of the works were created during the pandemic lockdowns, with artists collaborating remotely via Zoom with their glass artisan partners in Italy, after initial on-site work at the glassmaking studio in Venice. 
The Boca Raton Museum of Art has dedicated more than 6,500 square feet of exhibition space to this collection. A fully illustrated printed catalogue is also available.