A dazzling UV Mosaic Installation at Orsoni furnace in Venice
From May 12 to June 21, 2025, the historic Orsoni furnace in Venice presents Phototaxis, a captivating new work of art by contemporary artist Paolo Pretolani. Situated in the iconic “Color Library” of Orsoni Venezia 1888, this exhibition transforms traditional Venetian glass mosaics into an immersive photo mosaic experience that invites viewers to perceive color and material through a new lens. Leveraging ultraviolet (UV) light, Pretolani’s installation reveals previously hidden elements of these intricate materials, fusing tradition and experimentation in a wholly original way.
A Work of Art Illuminated by Curiosity
Phototaxis stems from the artist’s deep interest in how light interacts with material surfaces. Pretolani reimagines the familiar mosaic tile as a canvas for scientific inquiry and artistic transformation. Using UV light, the artist exposes fluorescent hues in the glass enamels of the Color Library—tones imperceptible to the human eye under normal lighting conditions. The result is a photo mosaic that shifts and morphs based on the illumination, evoking themes of metamorphosis and unseen beauty.
The name Phototaxis references the instinctive movement of organisms toward or away from light, often observed in insects. This concept resonates through every detail of the project, from the light-reactive materials to the insect-inspired imagery that forms the heart of the visual narrative. In essence, this work of art asks: what if our vision could extend beyond its current limits? What might we discover in the layers we typically overlook?
Exploring the Hidden Dimensions of Color
The project began when Pretolani conducted non-invasive analyses of Orsoni’s glass sheets using UV light. This method revealed optical discontinuities on the enamel surfaces, particularly in the color range classified as “Imperiali”—vivid yellows, oranges, and reds. These colors contain mineral oxides that react during the cooling process, and under UV light, they emit a striking fluorescent glow.
Laura Tonicello, Cultural Manager of the Orsoni furnace, describes the experience as transformative: “Discovering a completely new spectrum of color in a space that already holds over 3,500 tones challenged everything we thought we knew about visual classification.”
Pretolani’s work not only disrupts visual perception but also redefines how color is understood, recorded, and categorized. This isn’t just a photo mosaic—it’s a new taxonomy of light and form.
From Artistic Concept to Photo Mosaic
Pretolani’s creative journey with Phototaxis was not a solo endeavor. It involved an active dialogue between the artist and Orsoni’s master artisans. Intrigued by the potential of the Color Library, Pretolani proposed darkening the space to allow the UV-reactive properties of the glass to emerge fully. This experiment became the cornerstone for developing the final artwork.
The installation consists of three unique patterns, each forming a sophisticated photo mosaic crafted using the direct mosaic technique. For the production phase, Pretolani collaborated with Adriana Landi, an experienced mosaicist on the Orsoni team. These mosaics are inspired by microscopic photographs of lepidopterans—specifically butterflies and caterpillars—highlighting different stages of metamorphosis: larva, pupa, and imago.
The choice of insects was not arbitrary. The word “lepidoptera” means “scale-winged,” a poetic allusion to the mosaic’s tesserae—tiny pieces of colored glass assembled to form intricate designs. This linguistic parallel underscores the thematic and material alignment between natural biology and human craft.
Metamorphosis Through Light
The visual language of Phototaxis is rich with symbolism. Each of the three mosaic patterns echoes a distinct moment in an insect’s transformation. One evokes the segmented body of a caterpillar, another captures the structural stillness of a chrysalis, and the third celebrates the vibrant symmetry of a butterfly’s wings.
Under UV light, the colors within these patterns reveal new layers of complexity. This duality—where one image appears under normal light and another under UV—embodies the central premise of the project. “My challenge was to find a visual key to interpret the material,” explains Pretolani. “It had to work in both lighting conditions, each telling its own version of the story.”
Thus, Phototaxis is more than an art installation; it is a multisensory dialogue between the visible and invisible, the organic and the artificial, the static and the evolving. It redefines what a photo mosaic can be, turning a traditionally static medium into a dynamic, responsive experience.
A Living Work of Art Beyond Human Perception
The UV light used in Phototaxis functions like a microscope’s gaze, enhancing subtle details that human eyes alone cannot detect. In doing so, it invites us to consider the limitations of human perception and the richness of other visual systems in the natural world. Moths, butterflies, and many other creatures navigate reality through spectrums we cannot see—yet Pretolani’s work gives us a glimpse into that hidden dimension.
The patterns created for Phototaxis don’t just depict insects; they echo their very being. They resonate with the notion that transformation is not only biological but also perceptual. As viewers move through the installation, the mosaics respond to changes in light, angle, and context—making every viewing experience unique.
About the Artist: Paolo Pretolani
Paolo Pretolani is a Venice-based artist with a degree in Painting from the Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia, where he studied under Professor Carlo Di Raco. His work spans painting, sculpture, and installation, often exploring the boundaries between material and perception. Recent exhibitions include VERMESTELLA (MA project), Le diable au corps (Bonelli Lab), Sono proprio io, ma divento pazzo (Galleria Marina Bastianello), and Stasi frenetica (GAM Torino). Pretolani is also an active member of the art collective Fondazione Malutta, known for its experimental approach to collaborative art-making.
With Phototaxis, Paolo Pretolani has created a revolutionary photo mosaic that is both a scientific inquiry and a poetic meditation. This remarkable work of art not only pays homage to Orsoni’s rich history but also opens new pathways for contemporary artistic expression. It challenges our senses, our expectations, and our understanding of what it means to truly see. For anyone passionate about mosaics, light, or the intersection of art and science, this is an exhibition not to be missed.