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Dale Chihuly: A Master At Dazzling Glass Sculptures…

18/11/2011

“Glass is the most magical of all materials. It transmits light in a special way … I’m pleased that my art appeals to so many people of all ages…” Dale Chihuly

Dale Chihuly: A Master At Dazzling Glass Sculptures... The Sun at Gardens of Glass, London

Dale Chihuly: A Master At Dazzling Glass Sculptures... At Kew Gardens

Dale Chihuly: A Master At Dazzling Glass Sculptures... Seafoam Set from Artist's Website

Dale Chihuly is an internationally known and highly regarded master glass artist whose skill at glass art is often compared to Louis Comfort Tiffany. About 9 years ago or so, I was in Chicago and visited the Garfield Park Conservatory as part of my sightseeing tour. Fortunately, the Conservatory was having a huge exhibit of Dale Chihuly’s glass sculptures and I spent many hours wandering through his spectacular, intricate works of art. I fell in love with his art and must have spent the entire day there because it was getting dark when I left and headed out.

“Great art is as irrational as great music. It is mad with its own loveliness.” George Jean Nathan

Dale Chihuly: A Master At Dazzling Glass Sculptures... At CEPAC

Dale Chihuly: A Master At Dazzling Glass Sculptures... At Kew Gardens

Dale Chihuly: A Master At Dazzling Glass Sculptures... Dale Chihuly at TED in 2010

I was quite taken by the array of color, brightness, playfulness and skill in the glass sculptures at the Conservatory. It confirmed what Chihuly had once said that he wanted to use all 300 colors available to glass artists in his body of work. I took tons of pictures and couldn’t wait to develop them when I returned to NY. They were a kaleidoscope of glass pieces in terrific colors. I had quite lovely memories of my visit and vowed to stay in touch with his body of work and save my pictures. But alas, I have been unable to find those pictures. Today, Dale Chihuly’s glass art can be found in museums, hotels, institutions and private homes around the world.

“I’m an artist, a designer, a craftsman, interior designer, half-architect. There’s no one name that fits me very well.” Dale Chihuly

Dale Chihuly: A Master At Dazzling Glass Sculptures... At Kew Gardens

Dale Chihuly: A Master At Dazzling Glass Sculptures... At Kew Gardens

Dale Chihuly: A Master At Dazzling Glass Sculptures... Persian Ceiling at DeYoung Museum

In this post, I’ll share pictures of his phenomenal works of glass art for your enjoyment. There is much written about the man and I have added links to his Website and Wikipedia page. For this post, the genius of his artwork is the thing I most want to share…. Then, feel free to read up on his career and works. Of recent note is, Chihuly:Through the Looking Glass, his exhibit at the Boston Museum which ran from April 10, 2011 – August 8, 2011, and the gorgeous glass garden he is building in Seattle; next to the Space Needle… More on that later.

“As a parent and an artist, I’m especially looking forward to leaving a legacy at The Children’s Museum, a place where I hope my work brings joy to children who visit from all over the world.”  Dale Chihuly

Dale Chihuly: A Master At Dazzling Glass Sculptures... At Kew Gardens, London

Dale Chihuly: A Master At Dazzling Glass Sculptures... Mille Fiori V 2004

http://www.wgbh.org/media/player.swf
Dale Chihuly: Through the Looking Glass at the MFA – Video Link Above.

Dale Chihuly: A Master At Dazzling Glass Sculptures... at MAM ... Glass up close

I love all kinds of art and love to visit museums, parks, and foundrys; both locally and away from home. One thing that is certain is that a visit to a Dale Chihuly exhibit will take your breath away. The sheer magnificence of the size of his pieces, the vibrancy of the colors used, the intricate way the pieces are made, and how they shimmer with light will hold you captive, read mesmerized, for hours; plus, his installations are magical. If an exhibit comes to a city near you, go check it out. Also his website has a list of places where you may go to enjoy his glass art. The CEPAC, Kew Gardens, MAM and other exhibits shared above were fantastic.  Stay Inspired! What are your thoughts? Have you seen a Chihuly exhibit? Were you drawn to specific glass sculptures? Did you enjoy what you saw? Do share? Thank you! 🙂

This post was inspired by a prompt from Plinky: What type of art do you appreciate most? Dance? Film? Architecture? Photography?

Positive Motivation Tip: Art comes in many dazzling forms; find your path and create some magic.

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos Dale at TED, Wild at Kew Gdns, Glass Tangle, Ballroom Chandelier at CEPAC, Red Glass at Kew Gdns, Glass Flowers at Kew Gdns, Glass up close at Milwaukee Art Museum, VandA Rotunda, via Wikipedia, Seafoam Set & Mille Fiori V 2004 via Chihuly.com, Or Chihuly Persian Ceiling by eHoyer via Flickr.

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet

35 Comments leave one →
  1. 18/11/2011 9:09 pm

    Oh my gosh these are fantastic.

  2. 18/11/2011 9:41 pm

    If you ever come to the Seattle area, there’s an entire museum of his an other glass artists’ work at the Tacoma Museum of Glass (http://www.museumofglass.org/). It’s pretty amazing.

  3. 18/11/2011 10:43 pm

    is fantastic!!!
    meraviglioso!

    vento

  4. 18/11/2011 10:56 pm

    Kew Gardens, London! great!

  5. 19/11/2011 12:50 am

    WOW! These are FABULOUS. Thanks for sharing them.

  6. 19/11/2011 5:06 am

    He’s definitely a fabulous master glass artist. Have always loved his work.

  7. 19/11/2011 5:11 am

    Wow! I never knew that glass could be so beautiful! Thank you for introducing me to this amazing artist! Maybe someday I can catch his work in Chicago? I’ll be looking, to be sure!

  8. 19/11/2011 6:33 am

    So lovely in an organic sort of way — like something you might see under the sea. I’ll see if there are any of his works still exhibited in Chicago…

  9. 19/11/2011 9:13 am

    Okay now you have gone and done it! Blown Glass is my weakness. The only skill I have wanted to acquire but can not find a teacher. These photos are spectacular. I really love the boat

  10. 19/11/2011 10:44 am

    We have one of his sculptures hanging in our museum, Columbia Museum of Art, Columbia SC. It is stunning!

  11. 19/11/2011 11:41 am

    I love blown glass…well, I love any glass. Chihuly’s creations are stunning…and magical!

  12. 19/11/2011 2:06 pm

    These are breathtakingly beautiful – no wonder you spent the whole day in the museum looking at Dale’s work!

  13. 19/11/2011 2:13 pm

    All your post are beautiful and elegant nice shot:)

  14. 19/11/2011 3:08 pm

    I have seen Chihuly’s breathtaking glass art and my favorite is the ones suspended (so it seems) from the ceiling. WOW!! The museum also had videos on how the glass sculptures were created….another WOW! 🙂
    Thanks!

  15. 19/11/2011 5:55 pm

    Absolutly stunning. I don’t like all of them but I love the ceiling and the blue Seafoam Set and most of the others. Dazzling work!

  16. 19/11/2011 6:43 pm

    I was introduced to Mr. Chuilly’s work through a PBS television program and have been a fan ever since. It was really interesting to see how one artist’s vision is brought to fruition through the very collaborative process of glass blowing in the studio. Several years ago I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a stunning glass ceiling he created for the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.

  17. 19/11/2011 6:44 pm

    Very cool sculptures! Wish I could have seen this in person!

  18. 19/11/2011 7:39 pm

    I love the boat filled with the glass sculture…it reminds me of a dragon boat race…not sure why but it does. Lovely!

  19. 19/11/2011 7:46 pm

    Beautiful, magical glass sculptures. I especially like the one at CEPAC and the Mille Fiori V 2004.

  20. 19/11/2011 8:12 pm

    I really didn’t know anything about this fabulous artist, but I have seen Chihuly’s work at the Bellagio Hotel in Vegas. The Fiori de Como is comprised of about 2,000 amazing flowers, much like the pieces of art you’ve shared. I am just delighted that you told me more about him. Your photos are just great! Debra

  21. 20/11/2011 7:00 am

    I absolutely adore these! I think there is one in the lobby of the Borgata. I’ll have to check it further. Wouldn’t mind having a few glass lilies for my yard.

  22. 20/11/2011 7:56 am

    Beautiful.

  23. 20/11/2011 10:53 am

    Wow, that is such intricate art with glass!

  24. 20/11/2011 11:46 am

    WOW! I checked his website and didn’t see anything coming to our area any time soon but I’ll keep looking. I’m surprised The Philadelphia Museum of Art has none of his work.
    Gorgeous!! Thanks for sharing!
    b

  25. 20/11/2011 7:33 pm

    The only time I got to see his work was at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Have you ever been there? The lobby ceiling is artfully covered in Chihuly flowers. It is truly a beautiful sight.

  26. Goz permalink
    23/11/2011 4:02 am

    Simply Stunning!

  27. 27/11/2011 9:10 pm

    I’ve never seen any of Dale Chihuly’s sculptures “live”, but they must be absolutely breathtaking…

  28. 24/01/2012 1:19 pm

    Nice article! Fantastic images and wonderful quotes. I have been fortunate to have seen numerous Dale Chihuly’s sculptures in various locations. As a glass artist, I am inspired!

  29. 10/05/2012 1:46 pm

    Outstanding write on this artist, Dale Chihuly. You did a fabulous story about him and his work. Your photo’s are beautiful. He is a very unusual glass artist. I never tire of seeing his work. He had a magnificent chandelier on the ship we just took our cruise on – Celebirty Constellation. Fortunately, that one was “IN” focus.
    Lovely ….
    Isadora

    • 10/05/2012 1:53 pm

      TY! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I really love his work and one day I’d love to buy something for keepsake. 🙂

  30. 10/05/2012 1:47 pm

    Reblogged this on Inside the Mind of Isadora and commented:
    Here is a wonderful story and photograph’s on Dale Chihuly you might enjoy …..

  31. 10/05/2012 5:43 pm

    When I saw the first photo, I was breathless at the beauty of it. Then I saw the next one and had the same reaction, then the next one…..I’m in awe.

    • 10/05/2012 8:17 pm

      I was too! He is a genius with glass. TY! 🙂

  32. 14/05/2012 2:17 pm

    Simply beautiful, love it 🙂

  33. MindMindful permalink
    21/05/2012 9:52 am

    I’ve only seen a few Chihuly pieces, but love them so much! Thanks for showing me the variety ………….. plus, I enjoy the pics interspersed with comments.

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