I had the feeling that this sculpture by Dale Chihuly, set off by a reflecting pool, should be waving its tentacles. (This and the following photos are taken by Peggy Mekemson.)
When I closed my eyes and scrolled through my iPhoto collection to come up with today’s photo essay, I landed on a series of photos featuring Dale Chihuly’s imaginative glass sculptures.
It seems like Chihuly, the world’s most prolific creator of glass blown sculpture, is everywhere these days. His works are found worldwide. Peggy was in Tennessee with our daughter Natasha five years ago when a Chihuly exhibition was held at the Cheekwood Botanical Garden in Nashville. Fortunately, Peggy took lots of photos so I could enjoy the show as well. I found a flock of flamingos that Peggy captured on her camera at the botanical garden to be equally fascinating.
I thought of this creation as a fruit basket.
Chihuly is an expert at designing his pieces to complement natural settings.
Another example how his work complements a natural setting.
And how about this towering glass sculpture next to a tall tree?
My grandson, who was two at the time, checks out one of Chihuly’s sculptures. I wonder what was going through his mind?
A new take on a Zen garden?
These reminded me of colorful cloves of garlic.
These graceful birdlike sculptures with their interesting poses reminded me of Peggy’s Flamingos.
Flamingos can assume some interesting one-legged positions but this one went above and beyond. Check out the shadow.
Another interesting pose for both kids and adults.
A final contortion of Flamingo parts.
I’ll use this blue and green contrast by Chihuly to end this post. NEXT POST: A continuation of my Friday Essays. The Grand Canyon trip. Also, Friday marks the beginning of a two month break from blogging.
Wandering through Time and Place 
Amazing and beautiful. His work was here in Pittsburgh at the Phipps Conservatory some years ago and it was truly awesome. Love this post (great photos).
Glad you enjoyed it. I think people appreciate his work even more if they have seen it in person. And I have passed your compliment on the photos on to Peggy. –Curt
What a wonderful exhibit this must have been to see. So vibrant and colorful.
Peggy really enjoyed it, and I’ve seen other exhibits of his. They are always fascinating and beautiful. –Curt
I’ve been enraptured by Chihuly’s work ever since I first encountered it years ago. we went to his hot shop in Tacoma.
Alison
The Tacoma trip has been on our bucket list for awhile. He now has a permanent exhibit at the Space Needle in Seattle as well. –Curt
Unique, amazing and beautiful!!
That it is GP. –Curt
Chihuly is one of my all-time favorite artists, and you’re right — his glass has inspired so many. Love these pictures! Didn’t even know there was an exhibit of his at Cheekwood. Would have tried to get there. Thank Peggy for the pics and inspiration!
Peggy and I have yet to visit his studio in Washington, but it is on our list. I’ve passed your compliment on to Peggy. 🙂 –Curt
Incredible!
Pretty amazing stuff…
Great art and photos. The stuff that seems so inspiring, yet so simple. Beautiful!
Wow! Are the pink flamingoes made from glass too?
😉
Nope, they are the real live thing, Timi. But they certainly could have been. Had I been Chihuly and seen that I would have returned to my studio and started creating them. 🙂 –Curt
What glorious pieces of art. You have to check twice that the flamingoes aren’t part of the installation 😉
Indeed, AC. And my apologies. You wished me a good vacation in your next comment and I started typing too soon, which always makes the comment disappear. So thanks much. And I will see you in September. –Curt
It is not often that Curt is not with me on our travels. I had fun trying to see what Curt might see as I took photos so that I could share the exhibits and fascinating compositions with him. Fun way to approach photography!
I’d say Peggy did a good job. 🙂 –Curt
Chiluly inspired a new way of working with glass. His pieces seem whimsical to me. It’s surprising how wildly successful he’s been.
Right. Large pieces with teams of workers. The beauty seems to have a universal appeal. –Curt
I love, love, love Chihuly Curt. If I were going to splurge on a piece of art it would be one of his works (but it would be a splurge.) Pass my compliments to Peggy for these great photos. We’ll miss your blogs posts but we certainly understand the need for a bit of downtime. Enjoy the time off and best of luck in the book promo. ~James
Thanks James. And I wouldn’t mind a few Chihuly works around here either. 🙂 I will be sure to tell Peggy. –Curt
Eek! I missed this one, what a wild and delightful fantasy place.
I am pretty sure you’d love Chihuly, Hilary. –Curt
Thanks for sharing… I love his work…
I do so love his work. The blue bird-like pieces are particularly appealing — but what’s not to like about flamingos?
Now I understand the absence of new posts from you! I was gone over the 4th weekend myself, and am just now getting caught up. I surely was glad to come back to see some Chihuly. Now, off to the essay!
Curt, I wonder if you’ll ever know how much joy you bring to the rest of us hermits out in the blogosphere who would never have a chance of seeing incredible things like these. As artists, Inion & I can’t tell you how much we enjoyed this post & Peggy’s pics. We just shared them on Facebook so everyone can take pleasure in your wife’s brilliant artistic eye. Thank you again!!! 😉 xo
So many thanks… I will pass your good words on to Peggy. And thanks for sharing. Peggy and I just finished up with three weeks of five grandsons (age two to ten) and two sets of parents. It is seeming awfully quiet around here. (grin) –Curt