Looking for Chihuly

Kalamazoo Ruby Light Chandelier

The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts has a chandelier by Dale Chihuly, and a few years go hosted an exhibit of his glass works. It was spectacular! The pieces were so amazing. We took lots of photos when we visited; here are just two.

The is a permanent exhibit at the KIA - a magnificent chandelier that hangs at the entrance.

Mille Fiori V

The Mille Fiori V is one of my favorite pieces from that exhibition. (I think my very favorite was the red boat, but we really didn't get a good picture of that one.) For me, it evokes a remarkable image of grasses by the shore.

If you're curious, here's a link to our photos from that exhibit: Chihuly in Kalamazoo. There's even a photo of a museum curator dusting the Mille Fiori, very carefully!




Yellow Boat



This past May, we were able to see more Chihuly - this time, at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, in Grand Rapids. Again, the pieces were astounding. So full of drama, and larger-than-life. There was another boat piece (this time, actually floating in water).

Citron Green and Red Tower

Here is a tower, and a close-up. I think about how many pieces were used to create this, and I am astonished by the patience required. (You would think a knitter would be patient, but this amazes me.)

(I originally had two detail shots - but I'm struggling to get these pictures intermingled nicely with the text - so I'm leaving it at one...!)

Detail: Joslyn Art Museum Window

In Omaha, at the Joslyn Art Museum, what did we find? More Chihuly!

This is a close-up from the installation in the 50-foot-high atrium. In Chihuly's words, "over two thousand handblown parts create a monumental window of color and form. (See here.)