“The Artist Chihuly”

Botanical Gardens Exhibit

Sapphire Star

“I often think had I not been a sculptor or artist, I might have like to have been a film director or architect.” 

This week I was fortunate enough to view the amazing work of the artist, Dale Chihuly at the New York Botanical Gardens.  The weather was perfect; the sky was blue; a perfect backdrop for the Glass Work of this fascinating exhibit featuring the work of Chihuly.

His beautifully “Hand Blown Glass Sculptures” were artistically placed throughout the whole parameter of the Botanical Gardens, as you will see through the lens of my camera.  Once walking through the gates of the Botanical Gardens, we were met with the most fascinating sculptures of this renowned Sculptor.

Red Reeds on a Log

The NY Botanical Gardens arranged each piece of Chihulys glass to blend perfectly with the surrounding plant life. Each piece complimenting its natural habitat. An example is “White Beluga’s” set among the plants within the Tropical Rain Forest.

White Beluga Glass Sculpture

As one ascends the steps to the Enid Haupt Conservatory, the entrance is enhanced by the beautify of Chihuly’s Scuplture, “Sol del Citron”.

 

  Sol del Citron Sculpture

 

                                                        

Closeup of Sol del Citron Sculpture

Once inside the Conservatory, is one of Chihuly’s famous Glass Sculpture’s, “Persians in Pond and Blue Herons”. Chihuly’s Persian Series were inspired by Middle East Glass from the 12th- to 14th-Centuries featuring more restrained color.

Persians in Pond and Blue Herons

Also included in his “Persian” series is his Glass Blown Sculpture, “Garden Fiori”. The Artist loves mixing his works with botanical settings making it look as if it is a natural part of nature. I tried as best as I could to capture the amazing “cobalt blue” colors with my camera.

                                     Glass House Garden Blue Fiori                                            

 Glass House Garden Purple Fiori

Walking through the various Botanical Gardens within the Conservatory, we next came across his “Macchia Series”.  In the Macchia Series of Chihuly’s glass we see a “darker side” of the artist as he makes his former delicate sculptures more dynamic, and enlarges this conservative scale to awesome proportions. Apart from his translucent works of his Milfori and Fiori Sculptures, Chihuly makes a bolder impact with his colored glass with a mottled effect (note bottom side of each sculpture).

Macchia Forest

Dale Chihuly started working with glass while studying interior design at the University of Washington.  From there he honed his craft at the world-famous Rhode Island School of Design. Chihuly not only learned various methods of glass blowing with different types of glass, but then established a glass program where he taught for many years. (My cousin Joan also studied Sculpting at the Rhode Island School of Design, where she still lives!)

While studying in Venice, Chihuly discovered the idea of blowing glass with a team of artists. He still uses this method in many of his Sculptures which he exhibits today.

Once we left the Conservatory, at the back entrance, once is struck by this amazing Sculpture called “Scarlet and Yellow Icicle Tower”.  It is placed just so that it captures the sunlight reflecting through each glass blown piece of this Tower!

Scarlet and Yellow Icicle Tower

Another period of Chihuly’s work is seen in his “Seafoam” Series.  This stunning Pink Glass Sculpture is reminiscent of something one might find deep at the bottom of the Sea.

Pink Seafoam Sculpture

There is still so much more to see of the amazing Glass Sculptures.  On the weekends, they have night shows where his work is “illuminated” such as the sculpture pictured below– we have already made our reservations for one of these shows.

White Tower w Pink Fiori – Illuminated Sculpture

Not only could is one treated to viewing the beautiful Sculptures of Dale Chihuly’s exhibit, but there are some beautiful pieces for sale within the Botanical Gardens Gift Shop.  I choose two of the many pieces available for sale!

           Cobalt Blue Glass Blown Flower                                    Green Glass Blown Flower