Two dreamy chandelier like creations hang in the Palm House
The Franklin Park Conservatory owns a fantastic collection of Dale Chihuly's glasswork. When the exhibit first came to Columbus in 2003, I thought the museum was over hyping the installation, but after visiting the museum in 2004, I was impressed by the size and magnitude of his works. His glass was so popular at the conservatory, that in 2004, the friends group associated with the garden purchased all 3000 pieces of the exhibit to a tune of $7 million! We are fortunate to have such interesting artworks here in Columbus, many of which are inspired by forms in nature.
The Franklin Park Conservatory owns a fantastic collection of Dale Chihuly's glasswork. When the exhibit first came to Columbus in 2003, I thought the museum was over hyping the installation, but after visiting the museum in 2004, I was impressed by the size and magnitude of his works. His glass was so popular at the conservatory, that in 2004, the friends group associated with the garden purchased all 3000 pieces of the exhibit to a tune of $7 million! We are fortunate to have such interesting artworks here in Columbus, many of which are inspired by forms in nature.
Megan and I in the Palm House of the Franklin Park Conservatory
The little bit of information that I have found about Chihuly is interesting- He's blind in one eye (as a result of an automobile accident in the 1970'), wears a patch, and he no longer has the depth perception needed to personally blow his own glass. Instead, he paints his visions, and his team of artisans go to work to produce these intricate assemblages. I have uploaded the first four images here in their original resolution- for those with either a high speed connection or a ton of patience, clicking on each image will link to the high-res versions.
Chihuly's works offer something new from every angle of observation.
Leaving the palm house and moving to the Orchid Forest, we saw this incredible piece. The twisting tubular glass reminds of me the elephant's head lousewort of the American west coast.
But perhaps my favorite installation of Chihuly's work at the Conservatory are these giant glass spheres that have been placed in the Koi pond. The color of each sphere is spectacular.
Chihuly's works have been installed in botanical gardens and conservatories across the nation. Visit www.chihuly.com for more information about this artist and his incredible pieces of glass.
