Valentin Rizzo - Instant suspendu

In my work I seek to exploit the fabulous potential of glass, its plurality. Glass has many facets that are at once opposite and inseparable. Exploiting these facets is to play with balance in creation. For me, it is an essential principle that governs much more than physical laws. Being a glassblower is about finding the ideal rhythm, between anticipation and spontaneity, it is about defying gravity. Isn’t that the most beautiful balance? In my series of pieces “Instant suspended,” I seek to play with balance. These are real equilibria; the pieces are worked on separately and assembled according to their natural point of balance. In order to secure the display of the works, I then apply an UV collage between the two glass pieces. I am fascinated by the visual renditions that can be created by playing between transparency and opacity, which makes it possible to develop a very elegant universe. This material is naturally bright and “luminous,” but it is possible to treat the surface to satin it, to make it matte. This play of texture gives very interesting effects; I find it particularly appropriate for my work with solid glass. Solid glass has a very particular vibration between lightness and solidity; one can simultaneously believe it is full or empty, and that distorts the senses. Finding the right balance between these different aspects is very important to me. I aim to create a piece that is both complex and visually simple, while revealing a very wide universe to explore in terms of detail. To work with solid glass, one proceeds by adding layers of glass and builds the interior décor from the inside out. This allows for multiple levels of decoration and creates very powerful contrasts. Through careful sizing, I can then create windows of transparency and visual imbalances; this allows me to play with the emotions and sensations of the viewer.