Murrine from Murano: One Man's Art in the Glass of Another""

This is the first and therefore most important of my steps in art. They have continued since, and are reflected on my website www.adrianodell.com. Although included in part, this is effectively the first published book on the content, perhaps not perfect, understood, but perhaps the most important in years to come. Colourful and dynamic art inspires me. However, I never expected it to lead me on a life-changing journey. A physical and intellectual journey. Physical because it involved the discovery and examination of vases of extraordinary beauty from Venice and Murano, Italy. Intellectual because it involved deep reflection about the meaning of art and its function as a "repository and conduit of culture". My journey centered around the work of Vittorio Ferro. With a working life in the glass industry of sixty-seven years, he was one of the world's greatest masters of murrine glass. My interest fast became multi-dimensional, I began photographing vases and went to Venice and Murano to find out more. Publishing became important to complete what had become a significant and passionate part of my life. This book records my journey. A "vasegraphy" (va: z-e-grafi) or study of sixty-seven rare murrine vases made by Vittorio Ferro, one-third signed, revealed in a kaleidoscope of Venice and Murano, and my new understanding of art. A photographic journey with a fresh approach to glass.