Chasing Chihuly

There is a mystery in the art of glass blowing that captures me. It is a practice of art that I am most unfamiliar with, having never witnessed first hand its execution nor studied its process in a classroom. The journey from a ball of molten glass into bright, illuminated, graceful structures is enchanting. The poetry of form and color, born in the harsh force of fire, harnessed into delicacy by human breath, composes some ridiculously breathtaking sculptures.

A month after it’s opening, I finally had the chance to see Dale Chihuly’s glass sculpture exhibit, Chihuly: Through the Looking Glass, at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. I had never been to a glass exhibit before but after hearing about the artist from a friend, and looking at his work online, I was more than eager to step into the gallery, hoping to fall in love with his work. I was all the more pleased to share the experience with my dear friend, Nina (reunited after over a year apart!!).

The artist, Dale Chihuly, a native of Tacoma, Washington, born in 1941, has been creating art with glass since the 1960’s. Sadly, he is no longer able to blow glass himself due to a car accident that left him blind in one eye and a bodysurfing accident that dislocated his shoulder. Instead, he leads a team of artists. The eye patch he wears over his left eye makes him all the more fascinating.

Chihuly with his work. Image from www.lalouver.com.

Chihuly at work with his creative team. Image from 208.85.88.69.

Let me share with you some of the photos I took. These are some of my favorite moments of the exhibit.

Ikebana Boat

Exhibited on a reflective deep black surface, the Ikebana Boat radiated the room with bright, powerful colors; to me, a collection of such joy, each element in the boat a graceful and interesting story in itself.

The Persian Ceiling

To walk into the room, felt much like walking into an underwater gallery. Like a small child, you marvel at the work with your head raised to the ceiling.

Mille Fiori

This is but a small detail of a larger piece of work, that resembled a beautiful garden, rendered in glass.

Details of his Chandeliers

I wouldn’t mind a chandelier that didn’t produce its own light if it could reflect it into a room as beautifully as Chihuly’s glass chandeliers do.

Find out more about Chihuly’s work here.