Chihuly Garden and Glass
Seattle, Washington
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Clear, 80°
“I want people to be overwhelmed with light and color
in a way they have never experienced.” – Dale Chihuly
My first experience seeing Dale Chihuly’s work was in the Bahamas at the Atlantis Resort and Casino. There were pieces showcased all over the hotel lobby and casino. Beautiful hanging chandeliers and sculpture pieces were on permanent display. I have loved his work and have seen it several times in various places around the country.
For those unfamiliar with the artist Dale Chihuly, he is perhaps the most famous glass artist on Earth, and was born in 1941 in Washington State. His works are found all around the world and have been featured several times on my other blog, Icewind’s Ramblings.
When I returned to Georgia from Alaska, there was an exhibit at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, which several of us went to after my aunt’s funeral. It was another beautiful display which helped soften the pain of losing another family member so soon. The exhibit was “Chihuly at Night” which had all of the pieces in the gardens lit up and glowing so exquisitely.
Chihuly Garden and Glass is in Seattle Center at the base of the world famous Seattle Space Needle. This exhibit provides a look at Chihuly’s inspiration and influences and brings together many of the elements of his work, including Drawings, signature glass series, large architectural installations and his personal collections. It is visually stunning; the unique setting includes eight gallery exhibitions surrounded by a richly landscaped Garden and a centerpiece Glasshouse featuring an expansive 100-foot-long sculpture in a color palette of reds, oranges, yellows and ambers.
The museum has an indoor area (dimly lit so the glass positively glows against the sleek black floors) where Chihuly controls the light in the displays. The presentation is quite different from the outdoor exhibits. The outdoor garden has live plants mixed with Chihuly’s glass creations for a wonderful effect.
There are plenty of colors and beautiful rich tones in many pieces. There are walls filled with sketches of past and future designs. There are massive hanging sculptures in the glasshouse and even a theater. Several four minute videos show how different exhibits were installed around the world and how some pieces were made.
Here are the different rooms and some of the pieces on display:
Glass Forest Room
Glass Forest # 5
Northwest Room
Chihuly Personal Collection of Blankets
Sealife Room
Blue in Sealife Room
Crab on Display
Octopus Drawing
Octopus Glass Sculpture
Persian Ceiling Room
Persian Glass Ceiling
Mille Fiori Room
Mille Fiori
Spiky Glass Plants
Ikebana and Float Boat Room
Boat of Glass Balls
Ikebana Float Boats
Drawing Wall Room
Drawing Wall
Chandeliers Room
Chandeliers
Macchia Forest Room
Macchia Forest
Macchia Forest pieces
The Glasshouse (Was closed for a special event so only outside photos)
Glass house Display from outside
Glasshouse and Gardens
Garden
Blue Glass Snakes
Yellow Tower
Love the Blue
Blue Reeds
Reflective Ball
Space Needle
If you have the chance to see any of Dale Chihuly’s work, GO! It is truly wonderful and visually inspiring. If you are in the area, his work is currently being exhibited in Asheville, North Carolina at the Biltmore House through October 7.