Enter the enchanting dimension of glass creativity where Pia, a visionary and trailblazing designer hailing from the vibrant landscapes of Argentina, now finds her muse amidst the bustling streets of Barcelona. Renowned for her mastery of the ancient arts of glassblowing and flame-working, Pia is a sorceress of light and form, conjuring exquisite jewelry and mystical artifacts that dance with otherworldly beauty.
But Pia’s talents transcend mere craftsmanship; she is a weaver of dreams and a herald of wonder. Diving deep into the alchemy of glass, she seeks to unlock its secret language of volatility and transformation. Each piece she shapes becomes a vessel of possibility, a shimmering gateway to realms unseen, where the ethereal and the asymmetric converge in a delicate dance of harmony and discord.
As a beacon of inspiration, Pia not only creates but also imparts her wisdom to eager minds, offering glass art classes that ignite the flames of creativity in all who dare to follow her path. In her role as an artistic director, she orchestrates symphonies of light and color, infusing every project with a touch of her unique vision and boundless imagination.
Step into Pia’s fantastical world, where the boundaries of reality blur and the ordinary is transformed into the extraordinary. Her creations are not mere objects but living entities, animated by the whispers of the wind and the secrets of the stars. In her hands, glass becomes a medium of transcendence, a portal to a universe of endless possibility and boundless magic.
IN CONVERSATION WITH PIA
Could you tell us about your journey as a designer and experimental artist, particularly how you ended up specializing in glass-blowing and flame-working?
I have worked for many years around visual and interactive experimentation, with analog video, lighting installations and I was always very delighted with light, and what it can generate in other materials as a visual experience. So, when I met and had the opportunity to experiment with glass and the flame-working technique my head exploded because the material, the change of state, the fire and the light were the perfect combination to say, ok, I want this experience forever.
How does your artistic practice contribute to raising awareness and fostering inclusivity within the queer community?
I am gay, the majority of my environment is and we are part of spaces and environments where we are comfortable and safe. It is important for me to encourage the same with the classes I teach and with what I do. We know how the world works and the possibilities are not the same for everyone, so providing a space where one can come to learn and feel comfortable is the most important thing for me.
As a creative director and teacher of glass art, what do you find to be the most rewarding aspect of your role? Additionally, do you perceive specific responsibilities linked to these positions?
The most rewarding thing is receiving feedback from the people who come. I try to create a special environment for everyone and of course that has responsibilities and a view from the other side. When I receive nice comments, it is a love to the soul. I am just sharing what I know about a technique that is very special to me.
As you describe them, your works are a combination of ethereal and asymmetric shapes.These shapes reflect or draw inspiration from something particular? Do they somehow translate parts of yourself and your way of being?
Of course, it’s me and my universe. Always inspired by nature, the human body and a fantastic world that exists on some plane. Always dismantling the traditional and conventional, discovering and experimenting. In the end, there are no limits to imagination and creativity, that’s what my work is about, a beautiful universe for me where anything could happen.
Can you imagine a particular character or setting that you envision as the perfect backdrop for your creations? I mean, a moment like ‘okay, now I can die happy’.
I have many ideas about a large exhibition of works that I want to do. I think it would be a great experience for me to achieve it as I imagine it in my head, but it is a process that I am facing for the not too distant future and I hope it will happen. It would be a great achievement because everything I am going through now in relation to my art always surprises me.
Interview: Deborah Sapia @deborah_sapia + Miriam Di Lorenzo @cherryblvssom
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