Fragile: Laboratorio Paravicini and Micheluzzi Glass in Venice

Fragile is an immersive event that celebrates the meeting of two distinguished Italian ateliers, Laboratorio Paravicini and Micheluzzi Glass, in Venice. Brought together by their shared devotion to Italian craftsmanship, these two artisan workshops blend the delicate arts of ceramics and glassmaking in a unique display that reflects both their distinct heritages and a mutual vision. The collaboration presents a curated selection of works where ceramics and glass are harmoniously interwoven, each piece telling a story of careful artistry, skill, and tradition.

With Fragile, Paravicini and Micheluzzi invite attendees into a world where the elegance of Italian design meets the timeless craft of handmade objects, showcasing pieces that are not only beautiful but also steeped in legacy and innovation.

"Fragile" is the title of your recent event, which evolved into a true exhibition in Venice. Paravicini ceramics and Micheluzzi glass came together, blending seamlessly in a series of table compositions. What led you to collaborate, and why did you choose this title for the event?

Laboratorio Paravicini: Laboratorio Paravicini made its debut in Venice for the Homo Faber exhibition, and to celebrate this important milestone, we initiated a special collaboration: Fragile. This project is not only a tribute to the Venetian lagoon but also a gesture of gratitude to a city steeped in ancient traditions and exceptional craftsmanship. We found the ideal partner in Micheluzzi, and the Fragile evening resonated with great enthusiasm among our guests, creating moments of authentic connection.

The title Fragile pays homage to the delicacy and intricacy of our work. It represents not only the materials we work with but also the finesse of our craftsmanship, the preciousness of our creations, and the meticulous attention to detail that makes each piece unique.

Micheluzzi Glass: Benedetta, Margherita, and Bona were seeking a space in Venice to hold a closing event for Homo Faber, and we immediately thought of collaborating by hosting the event in our shop. We instantly envisioned our glasses alongside Paravicini plates as a perfect pairing. Artemest had already sensed this synergy, matching Paravicini plates with our glassware at a previous event, making it a natural step to continue exploring this collaboration.

The title Fragile naturally refers to the delicacy of the materials, despite their ability to become a lasting heritage passed down through generations. Yet the crafts that unite us are also fragile, and today, more than ever, it is essential to preserve them. We feel like ambassadors of a new generation committed to carrying these traditions forward.

The result of this dialogue was surprising: the items seemed conceived to coexist in the same environment. Your companies have much in common, such as carrying forward an important family tradition. What shared aspects define your experiences and work in Italian craftsmanship?

Laboratorio Paravicini: We share many values with Micheluzzi, but the strongest bond is our shared roots: we are both Italian manufacturers, daughters of a family tradition that has taught us the value of time and dedication. Today, the new generation, represented by young sisters, leads our artisanal ventures. It’s a challenge and, at the same time, a privilege to carry on this legacy in an era where everything seems to be consumed quickly, but we consciously choose to go against the tide. Each piece is the result of meticulous craftsmanship, tailored to the client, in a continuous dialogue that aims to fulfill every desire without ever compromising quality or attention to detail.

Another shared aspect is the geography of our workshops, both located in the vibrant hearts of Milan and Venice, two historic and artistically significant cities. Both cities are guardians of ancient artisanal traditions, yet they are also forward-looking, just like our businesses. Creativity, the core of each new collection, emerges from a collaborative process. It is not a solitary act but a true communion of ideas between new and old generations. Passing on knowledge is a crucial moment where artisanal expertise is handed down with patience and dedication, ensuring the tradition lives on through the hands of its inheritors.

Micheluzzi Glass: With the “Paravicini sisters,” we share not only the experience of being a "second generation" but also a deep admiration for the work our parents started: our father in glassmaking and Costanza in ceramics. Thanks to them, we have acquired and continue to develop precious knowledge of materials, techniques, and the importance of artisanal work. Also, as contemporaries with similar experiences in the fields of art, fashion, and design, we share the desire to explore new perspectives and renew the traditional working approach.

What inspires you when decorating your pieces? And what aspects do you think contributed to the harmonious association between Paravicini and Micheluzzi products during the exhibition?

Laboratorio Paravicini: Each new collection, as well as many recent decorations, almost always begins with a collective creative process. Four of us contribute: our mother, Costanza, and we three sisters. Sometimes, inspiration comes directly from the client, who asks for a specific decorative project that still needs to be explored and developed. Other times, it comes from the outside world: fashion, trends, or simply the desire to reinterpret classic and traditional motifs with a modern touch. We always try to add a contemporary twist, our personal reinterpretation, even to designs that belong to the Italian tradition, and we love to venture into more exotic creative realms, allowing our research to be constantly self-renewing.

It felt as if everything was planned from the start: when we paired our Paradise Collection with Micheluzzi's Millerighe glass collection, the glasses and plates seemed designed to go together. Both collections found a stylistic affinity in the color palette inspired by the Art Nouveau period, a style that today feels more current than ever. Similarly, the faceted finish of the Serpentine glasses seemed created specifically for our Serpi collection. Our latest collection, Legami, with its fluid lines and vibrant colors, was even enhanced in its contemporaneity when matched with the Mosso glasses, featuring intense tones and a soft shape. This combination of pieces created a surprising effect, highlighting the qualities of both creations.

Micheluzzi Glass: Both Micheluzzi Glass and Laboratorio Paravicini draw inspiration from tradition and history, reinterpreting decorative details with a contemporary twist. In our work with glass, we experiment guided by the uniqueness of the material and its techniques. This exploration allows us to play with colors and shapes in constant evolution, creating pieces with a distinctly modern aesthetic that retain a strong connection to the past.

Our line of glasses, in particular, stands out for its rich variety of colors and patterns. The shapes range from fluid to geometric, creating a harmonious dialogue between elegance and innovation. Laboratorio Paravicini collections offer the same variety and richness, and the surprising harmony in the pairings emerged naturally. For example, the color pairing of Paradise plates with glasses from the Millerighe collection, or the affinity between the Serpi design and the etched pattern of our Serpentine glasses. Even the soft lines and contemporary style of the Legami collection pair perfectly with our Mosso Filo glass, our "fluid glass," with the traditional Murano white rim accentuating its irregular profile. Finally, even purely stylistic pairings, without a specific theme, like those between Daisy and Dritto Bamboo, captivated us.