The exhibition features around a hundred lamps and objects created by the renowned Italian designer Carlo Nason, who is celebrated for his exquisite Murano glass lamp designs. This event forms part of FRAGILE’s broader mission to rediscover and promote personalities who have innovatively reinterpreted design, particularly in the realm of lighting.
“Handle with Care” aims to provide insight into the remarkable works of Carlo Nason, a prominent figure in lighting design. Born in 1935 in Murano, Nason hails from one of the island’s oldest glass-blowing families. From a young age, he developed a profound understanding of glass-making techniques, which he blended with a keen interest in design, particularly Scandinavian styles.
Nason’s innovative approach began early in his career, where he balanced refined forms with the characteristic craftsmanship of his Murano roots. He is largely self-taught in graphic design and has continually sought inspiration from design, photography, and visual arts literature. In the late 1950s, he participated in the “Glass 1959” exhibition at the Corning Museum of Glass in New York, showcasing two distinctive pieces—an elongated vase and a bowl.
Nason’s collaborations have been legendary, particularly with Mazzega, where he designed iconic lamps, pioneering the layering of glass—a hallmark of his style. He also introduced the ‘plate glass’ technique for lighting fixtures and home accessories, creating unique textures through the combination of rough and irregular surfaces with blended colors.
Throughout the late 1960s, Nason continued to expand his portfolio, designing notable pieces for Selenova and the Austrian company Kalmar. In the early 1970s, he began to incorporate industrial glass into his designs, producing pieces for Murano Due, which later became part of the Leucos catalog. Between 1990 and 2010, his partnership with de Majo resulted in various table lamps, suspension fixtures, and vases, including sacred light fixtures for the restoration of the crypt of San Marco.
Despite his significant contributions to the design world, Nason has consistently avoided the limelight, preferring to let his work speak for itself. His most successful lamps reached a wide audience, even appearing in popular television series during the 1980s.
The “Handle with Care” exhibition promises to offer an extensive view of Nason’s most celebrated lamps, showcasing rare and iconic pieces that highlight his incredible creative spirit. Visitors will appreciate his masterful use of blown glass, which embodies a perfect harmony between artisanal tradition and modernity.
As the Milano Design Week 2025 approaches, this exhibition stands as a testament to Carlo Nason’s lasting influence on the design world, celebrating not only his innovative creations but also a designer who has profoundly impacted contemporary lighting. Join FRAGILE in honoring this extraordinary talent and explore a realm of light and design that transcends traditional boundaries.
Photo credits: Nicola Galli