It's no secret that I love all things glass. I don't even like plastic drinking glasses and always have my beverages in real glass. But I especially love art glass.
As with most glass lovers I was first exposed to art glass through the work of Dale Chihuly. When I worked for NationsBank (now Bank of America) in Charlotte, NC there was a gigantic orange chandelier hanging above the walkway between 2 buildings. I called it the chili pepper and it was my first Chihuly.
Since then I have seen a number of his exhibits and have been introduced to many other wonderful glass artists. I collect a little glass and have one Christmas tree that is totally decorated with blown glass ornaments.
I was very excited last summer when I found out that the VMFA, here in Richmond, was going to host a Chihuly exhibit. I've now been 4 times and recommend it to anyone who lives in the area or who can get here to see it before it closes February 10.
We are also fortunate to have another exhibit here as well but it closes this weekend so you need to hurry to see it. This one is at the Visual Arts Center and is the work of Harvey K. Littleton. I don't know that there would have ever been a studio art glass movement without Harvey Littleton. His father worked at Corning and is the person who gave us Pyrex. Harvey was a physicist turned artist. He started as a potter but wanted to work with glass. Before he developed the first "backyard" furnace all glass had been made in industrial settings. He is the father if the art glass movement and Dale Chihuly studied under him at the University of Wisconsin. The exhibit at the Visual Arts Center has an excellent video that tells the history.
All of these photos are from the Chihuly exhibit and I hope you enjoy them. I've left them large so you can click on them to see more detail. The exhibit is glass on a grand scale and I may go back for a 5th viewing before it leaves.
My mom has collected Depression glass longer than I've been alive. Love Chihuly's work. That sculpture in the boat looks like the Kraken won the battle :). If you're ever in South Jersey, be sure to visit WheatonArts in Milleville. It's more historic than modern, but it's all glass!
Posted by: Tina in NJ | January 09, 2013 at 02:23 PM
Hi Vicki--I love Chihuly as well, and first saw his work at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, and then in an exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
I work at Target, and we have a Chihuly sculpture in one of our lobbies. It's orange and red, but otherwise looks just like the white curly one in your pictures.
I collect art glass as well; while I've most recently been satisfying that interest by collecting handmade marbles, I do buy other pieces. My most favorite is by an Australian artist named Lucas Salton. I've never seen his work here in the US, though.
Posted by: Carol S. | January 09, 2013 at 02:52 PM
If you're ever up in my part of the country, you absolutely must visit the Corning Museum of Glass.
Posted by: Anya | January 09, 2013 at 03:05 PM
You definitely need to come out to the Pacific Northwest to the Museum of Glass in Tacoma --just south of Seattle. Www.museumofglass.org
Posted by: Liz Arbaugh | January 09, 2013 at 03:12 PM
Awesome pics.....thanks for sharing!
If you are ever in the Seattle area.....check out his museum! You can easily spend all day....and need to go back the next! :o)
Posted by: Regan Martin | January 09, 2013 at 03:26 PM
I loved the Dale Chihuly exhibit at the Mint in Charlotte 14 years ago! And I adore laying on the floor in the lobby of the Bellagio in Las Vegas,gazing up at the Chihuly ceiling!
Posted by: Kelly | January 09, 2013 at 04:45 PM
You can watch them live at the Museum of Glass right here:
http://museumofglass.org/glassmaking/live-from-the-hot-shop
Sometimes when I need some down time, I just sit and watch - it's mesmerizing.
My calendar this year is a Chihuly - it's gorgeous. This month's piece looks just like a quilt.
Posted by: Sequana | January 09, 2013 at 05:02 PM
I've seen his exhibits in St. Louis and in Nashville . . . incredible, fantastic, and drop dead, amazingly gorgeous.
Thanks for sharing your photos!
Posted by: quiltdivajulie | January 09, 2013 at 05:52 PM
Gorgeous pieces!!! I have never heard of Chihuly but will start watching for his work.
Posted by: Frances M. Arnold | January 09, 2013 at 07:56 PM
There has been a PBS program about chihuly and his process and how they make his creeations. Really, really cool. You should check it out.
http://www.chihulyworkshop.com/news/chihuly-outside-on-pbs.html
Posted by: Cindy Is Crafty | January 09, 2013 at 08:52 PM
If you haven't been, you'd love Venice. Lots of blown glass, and the factories where they do it too.
Posted by: margaret | January 10, 2013 at 12:48 PM
I absolutely love art glass. It has a strength and delicacy all at the same time that fascinates me. The colors, the shapes, the reflections! In my next life I'm going to be a glass artist.
Posted by: Giggles | January 10, 2013 at 03:16 PM
A while back (like 12 years?) there was a Chihuly exhibit at Kew Gardens - fantastic stuff, all that glass among the plants, especially the cacti, etc. Must dig out some photos - I think they are pre-digital in my collection!
Posted by: Kate | January 10, 2013 at 06:56 PM
Gorgeous class work! I cannot help but wonder, how do you dust those intricate pieces? I just cannot stand cleaning! lol Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Carole | January 25, 2013 at 12:12 PM
I love Chihuly's work too. His exhibit at the de Young in San Francisco was fantastic. They also had a room with his collection of native American baskets.
That ring of contrasting color round the edge of his large free form pieces inspired me to add piping to the edge of my quilts!
Posted by: Linda Fleming | February 08, 2013 at 03:18 AM