Dale Chihuly , master glassmaker, has come to Dallas! Chihuly at the Dallas Arboretum is a must see exhibit. This man-made spectacle consists of fifteen glass sculptures situated among the Arboretum’s sixty-six acres. They soar into the air like this one, a blinding burst of colorful spikes wired to a tall armature.
Some surprise you as you come upon them nestled in a small water garden. So much of Chihuly’s glass is brightly colored that seeing these white “macchia” forms placed among the lily pads is a nice change of pace and feels just right.
Water is used as a setting as much as open space. Two skiffs, one filled with float balls, the other with wild and crazy shapes, sit on a small pond with White Rock Lake in the background. It’s easy to imagine Venice.
There are sharp, reed-like spikes and gently curving Heron forms rising out of other small ponds.
Some sculptures resemble out- of- this -world flora.
Or fantastical sea creatures.
As you enter a more enclosed garden a sunburst atop a tall pole greets you. Brilliant reds, yellows and oranges bombard the senses. You stare in wonder. How can glass be so fragile, yet so strong?
Is this guy having a bad hair day?
There is no end to the surprises.
The exhibit runs through November 5, 2012. It’s worth multiple visits. The sculptures will look different by day or night and in different seasons.
Loved this exhibit when it came to Orlando. They had an entire wall of sketches, too. I encourage everyone who can to go see this beautiful work.
The sculptures are spectacular in outdoor settings. Very different than in a gallery.
Wonderful photo’s. Augment the glass sculptures. Fabulous
Stan
How glorious! Would love to see something like this. A photographers dream. Thanks for posting the pictures.
The Ashland area would be a marvelous setting. Dallas started raising funds a while ago; mostly private money enabled the exhibit to come. It’s very expensive! Keep fingers crossed. The Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum at Seattle Center just opened. Maybe you could take a trip to Seattle.