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.
30 thoughts on “Where Glass Borders on Fantasy… The Work of Dale Chihuly”
spanishwoods
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).
Curt Mekemson
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
Carrie Rubin
What a wonderful exhibit this must have been to see. So vibrant and colorful.
Curt Mekemson
Peggy really enjoyed it, and I’ve seen other exhibits of his. They are always fascinating and beautiful. –Curt
Alison and Don
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
Curt Mekemson
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
GP Cox
Unique, amazing and beautiful!!
Curt Mekemson
That it is GP. –Curt
Oh, the Places We See
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!
Curt Mekemson
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
cindy knoke
Incredible!
Curt Mekemson
Pretty amazing stuff…
gerard oosterman
Great art and photos. The stuff that seems so inspiring, yet so simple. Beautiful!
livelytwist
Wow! Are the pink flamingoes made from glass too?
livelytwist
😉
Curt Mekemson
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
Animalcouriers
What glorious pieces of art. You have to check twice that the flamingoes aren’t part of the installation 😉
Curt Mekemson
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
Anonymous
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!
Curt Mekemson
I’d say Peggy did a good job. 🙂 –Curt
The Writing Waters Blog
Chiluly inspired a new way of working with glass. His pieces seem whimsical to me. It’s surprising how wildly successful he’s been.
Curt Mekemson
Right. Large pieces with teams of workers. The beauty seems to have a universal appeal. –Curt
gallivance.net
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
Curt Mekemson
Thanks James. And I wouldn’t mind a few Chihuly works around here either. 🙂 I will be sure to tell Peggy. –Curt
hilarycustancegreen
Eek! I missed this one, what a wild and delightful fantasy place.
Curt Mekemson
I am pretty sure you’d love Chihuly, Hilary. –Curt
lumar1298
Thanks for sharing… I love his work…
shoreacres
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!
Inion N. Mathair
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
Curt Mekemson
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