Venice’s Last Glass Factory Makes Mosaics for Dolce & Gabbana and The Emir of Dubai | Still Standing

Japan has a policy of declaring artisans of ancient art and artifacts to be cultural treasures. They are given support, recognition and apprentices so the art is not lost. That should’ve done everywhere.

People who do not work as craftsmen or artists don't understand that it is not simply a lack of interest from young people that makes it hard to find apprentices for the next generation. Jobs like these more often than not don't pay a living wage and cant afford to because there is no larger financial support system for the arts in many different countries. I know so many artists and craftsmen that dream of apprenticeships like these (including myself) but they cannot afford them. Work like this is also extraordinarily hard on the body and often can have long term impacts on your health. It's hard to justify putting yourself through that when you cant even put food on the table even if you do love what you do.

As an artist I’m very hurt watching this cuz certain art techniques if not passed on to the newer generations will die out. We must preserve this type of skill set.

I am from Venice and I find incredible how many people love the glass made in Venice.. It makes me so proud :)

My grandfather was a student at a mosaic school in Friûl (Scuola Mosaicisti del Friuli), which is not too far from Venice. For work, he was a tile layer, which is kind of like big mosaics if you think about it! Now in retirement he has returned to mosaic, and makes his art from stones he collects from the Tagliamento river.

I'm from there, glasswork is too expensive to learn and live in the city at the same time, that Is why there are almost no venetians left living in the city, I am young and I made some stained glass work on my own, It was my dream to do that job but it's impossible now

The idea that they are struggling to find people who want and are capable of learning this skill is wild to me. If only I had been born Italian and heard of this fifteen years ago. 😭

I am so grateful that I have lived in a time where such craftsmen exist. They will leave behind timeless treasures that will be adored by people hundreds of years from now. In the scheme of things, government assistance to the glass makers of Murano would be a small investment in a national treasure.

This video reminds me of what it takes to operate a shoe repair shop. Crazy how these old crafts are thriving but still facing similar challenges. Insider Business should do a story about shoe repair in USA like they did for this glass video.

That is so sad... I was a Fine Art Teacher and before that I was a custom painter... gold leaf, pint strip, signage. I was just asked by the local Tech School if I could do video on reverse Gold leaf signage with art work using gelatin to float the image as it was done in Australia in the 1920's... I'm 75 years old and have worked on restoration of old Pub signs as they used the same techniques...an original 3' X 4' 5mil plate glass sign from that time frame is worth over $30,000 in good shape... Few people realize vinyl at best last 7 years in sun light ... wrapping a commercial vehicle in printed Vinyl will last even less as the paints are dye based (Usually vegetable dyes) not ground pigments like lettering enamels. I'm pretty sure most of these trades will be lost in time.

There’s a CO-OP in the city I live in for glassblowers to cut and share costs. It’s literally the only way you can afford to keep going. They need to come together and start one over there if they haven’t already. This art can’t die.

I would LOVE to work in the glass mosaics factory in Venice. I have the weird patience to sit, for days and work colours. As i've aged i wondered what would call to me, I think i may have found it!

Business lnsider that was a seriously awesome video. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it and seeing the Orsoni Masters at work. Thankyou so much. 😊

Ive never had any ideia of how precious and super delicate this work with glass were,its just...wow ,knowing now the true dedication and complexity of this works make me proud of knowing now

Videos like these really help to apreciate the work involved in things we barely notice anymore

I remember visiting a glass maker when I was in Venice as a kid.... There were loads of glass makers then in the 90s 😢

I love Dolce & Gabanna. This artisanal's touch and seasonal demand makes the technique preserved and one of a good effort to expose it further for crowds to indulge in this art!

as a kid i went to venice on a school trip and fell in love with the glassmaking process, its still a job that i would love to do

Even tho times are tough and the work can be painstaking, I'm betting they all love what they do... the end result is so beautiful and such a challenge to complete, they must be so proud when they step back and look at the finished product

This is too awesome to put in words. I was completely captivated!