mynewplace: (blue persian)
mynewplace ([personal profile] mynewplace) wrote2007-06-24 08:15 am
Entry tags:

Chihuly

It's been a few years since I mentioned my fascination with artist Dale Chihuly.  Chihuly is a glass blower who creates the most magnificent sculptures I've ever seen.  I stumbled across him on PBS one night and was mesmerized. The show detailed chandeliers he created to be hung over the canals in Venice. No electric power, just thousands of pieces of glass in all colors shapes and sizes catching the sun's fire and tinkling gently as the wind moves the water. 

While I was having trouble sleeping last night I started thinking that photos of Chihuly's art would make great icons. Since I woke at 5:30 and couldn't get back to sleep I decided to give it a shot.  I'm NO icon maker, but stumbled my way through Paint and came up with 18 or so.

I've made myself a vow.  I will NOT DIE until I've seen a Chihuly exhibit.  There's one in Pittsburgh right now, through November. I wish we had the money to go.   

Here's a teaser:


























Icons in a post to follow.

[identity profile] blueinva.livejournal.com 2007-06-24 12:39 pm (UTC)(link)
I had a client at a law firm who had a huge piece of Chihuly's seaform in their foyer. I was always slightly disappointed when the client came out to take me in for the meeting, as I could have marvelled at it for hours.

[identity profile] sapphirescarlet.livejournal.com 2007-06-24 12:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, I'd LOVE to see one of his bigger works up close! How fortunate for you!

[identity profile] padiwack.livejournal.com 2007-06-24 12:44 pm (UTC)(link)
My, that IS mesmerizing. Beautiful!

[identity profile] gymorama.livejournal.com 2007-06-24 12:46 pm (UTC)(link)
simply amazing. Takes me back to my childhood hanging around the glassblowers exhibits at the summer fairs

[identity profile] sapphirescarlet.livejournal.com 2007-06-24 03:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Aren't they? The size takes my breath away. Oooh Shiny!

[identity profile] gymorama.livejournal.com 2007-06-24 11:27 pm (UTC)(link)
yep, it's amazing to watch the actual process also.

[identity profile] destabee.livejournal.com 2007-06-24 01:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Granted it is not a place that many people end up in their travels but the Oklahoma City Museum of Art has several pieces in my permanent collection.

http://www.chihuly.com/installations/public/oklahoma.html

It is on my list of things to do during my 2008 visit to my homeland.

[identity profile] sapphirescarlet.livejournal.com 2007-06-24 03:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Lucky you! Wonder if they'll let you take pics.

[identity profile] a-joyous-life.livejournal.com 2007-06-24 01:12 pm (UTC)(link)
The Botanical Gardens here in Atlanta did a big Chihuly exhibit a couple years ago which I missed. Fortunately, several large pieces are still featured there. I love Chihuly's work too, and was as much in awe of his work at the Bellagio in Vegas as I was of the fountains outside. It's worth a trip to Vegas all by itself.

[identity profile] sapphirescarlet.livejournal.com 2007-06-24 03:39 pm (UTC)(link)
MAN! If I'd known about the Atlanta show I probably would have tried to see it. As it is, I think I'm going to start saving my money for Pittsburgh. What I love is the way so many places keep a couple of works after the exhibit leaves.

[identity profile] popfiend.livejournal.com 2007-06-24 02:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Kewl.

But not as cool as you.

[identity profile] sapphirescarlet.livejournal.com 2007-06-24 03:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Aww, c'mon now!

[identity profile] retro-rider55.livejournal.com 2007-06-24 02:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow; this fellow works
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Wow; this fellow works <hard</u>. Thanks for finding this.

[identity profile] sapphirescarlet.livejournal.com 2007-06-24 03:36 pm (UTC)(link)
He's brilliant. Glad you enjoyed it!

[identity profile] feri-hearted.livejournal.com 2007-06-24 03:08 pm (UTC)(link)
those are breathtaking thank you

[identity profile] sapphirescarlet.livejournal.com 2007-06-24 03:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Aren't they? Glad you enjoyed them. You should check out his site. You get a better idea of the dramatic dimensions.

[identity profile] nsingman.livejournal.com 2007-06-24 09:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow! Really beautiful work. I hope you get to see it up close and personal soon!

[identity profile] sapphirescarlet.livejournal.com 2007-06-25 10:55 am (UTC)(link)
Oh me too. I talked with Brent about it last night. I'm going to send him some pics, he seemed tolerantly interested.

[identity profile] amian.livejournal.com 2007-06-25 01:12 am (UTC)(link)
I went to his site and saw that he had an exhibit at the Garfield Conservatory here in Chicago back in '01. His pieces look so amazing among the plants and leaves... it's like looking at a garden on some exotically beautiful planet.

I hope he comes back here sometime. I'd love to see it up close.

[identity profile] sapphirescarlet.livejournal.com 2007-06-25 10:48 am (UTC)(link)
You might want to check with the Conservatory and see if he left any pieces behind. He does that sometimes.

[identity profile] pyrcedgrrl.livejournal.com 2007-06-25 04:10 am (UTC)(link)
Those are awesome!!!! I've always wanted to learn how to do glass blowing. :(

[identity profile] sapphirescarlet.livejournal.com 2007-06-25 10:44 am (UTC)(link)
It's pretty damned hard, I think. That's quite an aspiration!