Anti-Chihulys

Tobias Mohl & Dante Marioni

In a town where glass art is most everywhere, it must be hard for an artist working in the medium to stand out. In the current show at William Traver, two youngish (40s) artists spin the medium in fun and elegant directions without the exaggerations you sometimes see in such work. Instead, their work fuses modern stylings with classical technique and forms. Danish artist Tobias Mohl's rows of frosted glass bowls, slender egg sculptures (pictured), and large white plates fill the space of an entire room with a glowing elegance. He calls his collection "Woven in Glass" for the black and white "woven" textures he creates through elaborate threading. In "Zoom," one of his large plates, he demonstrates his intricate glass raking, filling the center of the plate with a frenzy of tiny lines and scribbles. A student of master glass artist Lino Tagliapietra, Mohl uses traditional Venetian technique to surprising and contemporary effect. With his subtle tints and fresh patterns, Mohl exhibits sophisticated control. His pieces don't scream, "Look at me!" like a flamboyant, swirling Chihuly. Instead they entice you to come closer . . . and closer. . . . In "Form Color Pattern," local artist Dante Marioni uses whimsical filigree to decorate his vivid urn and odd-shaped vessels. Made in collections of 12, the frosted matte blue series is particularly appealing. In more sober moments, like Mohl, Marioni also spins fantastic webs and patterns inside his Reticello vases. Though many of these pieces have been sold already, this show is still worth a visit. It's a good example of museum-quality artwork in a local gallery. SUE PETERS