Dale Chihuly鈥檚 name has become synonymous with the art of blown glass. Glass is also typically synonymous with another word: Fragile. Although Colorado is one of the most hail-prone states in the country, that hasn鈥檛 stopped from hosting a monumental sculpture show of glass.
Mother Nature was quick to test Chihuly鈥檚 sinuous, spindly glass masterpieces in Denver. It hailed and 鈥渞ained sideways鈥� during the 11-day June installation of , recalled Britt Cornett, Chihuly Studio head of exhibitions.
鈥淭he glass is surprisingly hardy,鈥� Cornett said.
While this version of Chihuly鈥檚 is the , it has faced the elements at 12 other outdoor venues. A handful of works were damaged in 2012 in Dallas, Texas.
鈥淲indshields were being shattered from cars and there was a lot of damage,鈥� Cornett said. 鈥淎nd in that incident we lost six forms throughout thousands, and thousands, and thousands.鈥�
Chihuly鈥檚 work shattered ideas that fine art and glass were incongruous. His techniques - brazen use of color, bodacious shapes, and outlandish size 鈥� refined over his 40-year career have elevated glass to fine art status. His work appears in more than 200 museum collections worldwide.
While blown glass has been Chihuly's medium of distinction, he also works with a plastic he invented called Polyvitro, neon, paint and paper, all of which can be seen at Botanic.
The sculptures are staged throughout the gardens, in and around the flora and water elements. Some works, such as the green, gold, and black, Perennial Fiori appear to be extensions of the plants and flowers. A fiery looking piece titled Summer Sun, is a vibrant contrast to the typically crisp blue Colorado sky.
Blue Icicle Towers, which greets visitors as they enter, was created for specifically for Denver. Although the majority of the other sculptures have been installed elsewhere, the configurations for this Garden Cycle will not be repeated.
鈥淚 do feel like the impression for many, many people is that it completely fits here,鈥� said Kim Manajek Associate Director of Exhibits at Denver Botanic Gardens, which has hosted an annual sculpture show since 2006. 鈥淚t feels like it鈥檚 a natural thing but it鈥檚 also a natural thing that takes your breath away. So, it鈥檚 pretty fantastic.鈥�
The exhibit is open in the garden through Nov. 30. Entrance comes with the price of admission to the Denver Botanic Gardens.
Arts District is a collaboration of 皇冠网址, RMPBS, and KUVO
