AUREE ADMIRES: Camilla Purdon - Festival Coordinator, The Venice Glass Week
AUREE ADMIRES: Camilla Purdon (@millpurdon)- Festival Coordinator, The Venice Glass Week
For the last decade I’ve been lucky enough to live in Venice, where I work as the Festival Coordinator of The Venice Glass Week - an international festival dedicated to the art of glass. The festival takes place every September, with a programme of around 250 events - exhibitions, workshops, demos, conferences, guided tours and more - across 140+ venues around Venice and Murano.
Follow @millpurdon on Instagram for more beautiful insights into Venetian life!
What inspired you to move to Venice?
Venice has been my favourite city for as long as I can remember. After studying History of Art and Architecture at University, I moved here for a couple of months to do an internship at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and then went on to work in a Mayfair gallery. After five years, I got itchy feet (almost literally!) and set myself the challenge of training to run the Venice Marathon in aid of Venice in Peril. Being profoundly unsporty (!), it remains my proudest achievement - and it also led to a job, coordinating a fundraising exhibition for the charity as part of the Venice Biennale. I then spent five years with a communications consultancy for the arts and culture sectors, where I ended up as Managing Director - but during a weekend back in Venice, an Italian friend said to me, “this is clearly where you’re happiest - why don’t you just quit your job and move here?” And that’s exactly what I did: I handed in my notice, moved to Venice a few months later, and ten years on, I’m still here!
Tell us a bit about Venetian Glass Making and why it is so special.
Venice has been celebrated for its glassmaking for over a thousand years, with the island of Murano at its heart since the 13th century. What makes Venetian glass so special is its extraordinary combination of craftsmanship, technical skill and creativity, passed down through generations. It’s truly remarkable to find so much talent concentrated on one small island, from glassblowers and lampworkers to beadmakers, engravers, mirror makers and more. And what I find particularly exciting is how this ancient tradition continues to evolve, as contemporary artists and designers collaborate with Murano’s glassmakers to push the boundaries of this magical material.
How did you first get into co-ordinating festivals?
As I mentioned, I'd left my previous job when I moved to Venice, hoping to find a new role once I arrived. Shortly afterwards, I happened to hear about The Venice Glass Week, a new initiative launched by a committee of the city’s cultural institutions. I got in touch to see whether there might be an opportunity to get involved, perhaps in the communications department, and to my great surprise I was offered the role of Festival Coordinator. It was a daunting prospect, given that I didn’t speak much Italian, knew little about glass and had certainly never coordinated a festival before. But I decided to take a leap of faith and give it a go – and here we are, ten editions later!
Who is your favourite glass artist?
It’s almost impossible to choose just one, particularly after ten years of working with so many extraordinarily talented glass artists! Three whose work I particularly admire are Simone Crestani for his remarkable technical skill and imaginative creations; Tanja Pak, for the poetry and sensitivity of her work; and YALI Glass, founded by Marie-Rose Kahane, whose designs are always incredibly elegant, stylish – and highly covetable!
What would a typical day in Venice be for you?
I think I’d have to describe a Saturday rather than a weekday, as my working days tend to be
rather less interesting! My Saturday morning ritual is often to take the traghetto (a large gondola that ferries passengers across the Grand Canal) over towards Campo Santa Margherita to buy flowers from Andrea at his twice-weekly stall. I’ll often stop for coffee in the sunshine at Caffè Rosso, then pass by the floating fruit and vegetable boat at San Barnaba to pick up a few supplies. I might meet friends for lunch – if the weather’s good. In the afternoon, maybe a walk along the Zattere, which is perfect for dog-spotting, or, even better, a spin around the lagoon in a friend’s boat. Inevitably we’ll stop for an aperitivo, mooring up near a wine bar such as Cantine del Vino Già Schiavi or Adriatico Mar.
Later, there may well be a private view to swing by – there always seem to be so many exhibitions opening in Venice – followed by supper at a relaxed restaurant, such as my local, Osteria Al Bacareto. Or, even more likely, a cosy dinner at a friend’s home - or mine.
What is something that no one knows about Venice?
How surprisingly green Venice is - if you know where to look! Beyond the canals and squares, the city has many wonderful gardens, green spaces and even vineyards to enjoy. Some of my favourite spots include the Giardini Reali - a beautifully maintained public garden just a stone’s throw from Piazza San Marco; the enchanting private garden of Palazzo Soranzo Cappello, which inspired Henry James’s The Aspern Papers; and, a recent discovery, the gardens of the newly opened Airelles Palladio hotel on Giudecca (which also does an incredible Sunday brunch, open to non-residents – highly recommended as a treat!). There are also entire islands, such as Sant’Erasmo, devoted largely to agriculture. I love these unexpected pockets of greenery.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
At prep school, I had to learn and recite a poem called Thinking, by Walter D. Wintle, published in 1905, and I’ve never forgotten it. There are a few lines I often find myself returning to, particularly when facing a tricky situation:
If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you’d like to win, but you think you can’t,
It’s almost certain you won’t.
If you think you’ll lose, you’ve lost,
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellow’s will;
It’s all in the state of mind.
Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man;
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the one who thinks he can.
What is the most inspiring place you have visited?
Venice itself is an endlessly inspiring place, but somewhere I find particularly special is the Convent Garden of the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer on the island of Giudecca. With its vegetable gardens, vines, greenhouses and little café overlooking the southern lagoon, it’s an extraordinarily peaceful place.
What is the best and worst part about living in Venice?
The worst: knowing how vulnerable Venice is, particularly to the effects of climate change, and worrying about its long-term future. This is why the work of organisations such as Venice in Peril, Venetian Heritage, Save Venice and We Are Here Venice is so vital.
The best: there’s always so much going on, from Biennales to boat races, exhibitions, performances and countless local festivals throughout the year. I also hugely value the sense of community. Venice is wonderfully village-like, with everyone getting around on foot and familiar faces wherever you go.
Name three unmissable places to visit in Venice?
Beyond the obvious splendours of St Mark’s Basilica and Venice’s other famous landmarks, three places I’d particularly recommend are: Fortuny Museum - One of my absolute favourite museums, housed in the magnificent former home and studio of artist, designer and inventor Mariano Fortuny. It’s a highly atmospheric place, filled with his sumptuous textiles, paintings, fashion and lighting designs.
The island of San Giorgio Maggiore: Just a five-minute vaporetto ride from Piazza San Marco, yet a world away! Visit Palladio’s magnificent basilica and take the lift up its bell tower for one of the most spectacular panoramic views over Venice and the lagoon. Be sure to also visit LE STANZE DEL VETRO for its superb glass exhibitions, and drop by the San Giorgio Café.
Murano: An absolute must from my perspective, obviously! Head to the island to watch super-skilled master glassmakers in action at a furnace such as Wave Murano Glass or NasonMoretti (guided tours by advance booking only), explore centuries of glassmaking history at the Museo del Vetro, visit the ancient Basilica dei Santi Maria e Donato, and enjoy lunch in the sunshine at Busa alla Torre (Da Lele), or indoors at Acqua Stanca.
What Auree piece would be on your Birthday list?
It’s such a difficult choice! I think the California Cushion Moonstone & Gold Interchangeable Hoop Earrings would be right at the top of my wish list – the idea of having two pairs of earrings in one is brilliant, and moonstone is so luminous and versatile.
I also love the fact that Auree has just launched a collection inspired by Venice, of course! I’d choose the Gold Huggie Hoop Earrings with Aquamarine – absolutely perfect for the Lagoon City.
