An important part of the Chihuly Exhibit at Desert Botanical Gardens this year was held in an indoor ‘Gallery’. There were four rooms and each one contained exquisite blown glass that simply awed each observer as they walked through. I have chosen to group the photographs so that you can ‘walk around’ and when possible get up close to this incredible artwork. Lighting was a challenge for photographers and reflections played havoc with some images. You will also notice differences in processing the images, each photographer editing them to reflect either how they saw the image or how they felt best reflected the gorgeous glass. Enjoy the tour.
Chihuly at Desert Botanical Gardens
Chihuly in the Desert is a special exhibition at Desert Botanical Gardens. Among the thousands of visitors it attracts were several of us who visited the Gardens a number of different days and times, including one evening trip that also included Noches de Luminarias. We share multiple photographs of each exhibit so that you get a broader idea of how different these individual pieces of art look from varying perspectives, weather, editing styles and attention to detail.
There is an inside component to the exhibition and that will be covered in an upcoming blog post.
This is the Fiori Boat which is spotted just as soon as you enter the Gardens. it is a spectacular piece of art whose vibrant colors pop from the otherwise more subdued desert.
Waiting for early morning shadows to fall back away from the boat.
Maybe a bit of flash can pop this boat away from stormy skies.
The detail is exquisite and makes each piece stand out from the chaotic glass crowd around it.
This collection is called Blue Birch Reeds and Scorpion Tails.
Detail showing a scorpion tail.
This is the Opal and Amber Tower located in the area of wildflowers.
So pretty at night!
Detail!
Lime and Lava Red Tower at night.
Detail at the top of the Tower.
We advise photographers to walk around a scene to get a different viewpoint. That is not always possible, especially in displays that are roped off. Somehow, Tom managed to get enough behind the Tower to get the blooming Palo Verde Trees in the background.
Neodymium Reeds give us another chance to see a different perspective, this time with the McDowell Mountain in the background.
Detail.
This detail shows the layering of colors which gives these pieces so much depth when viewed from the path.
This display is entitled, Red Reeds.
Red Reeds at night.
With warmer dusk lighting.
Popping with a bit of help from a flash. I believe Steve is the only one with a flash powerful enough to get this scene!
These are Desert Fiori.
Framing color with plants makes the Fiori look like a smaller picture!
Detail.
This is the Aqua Blue and Amber Chandelier. It was a ‘toughie’ to photograph!
Top detail. Just have to l love it when a nice sky shows up.
Close up detail. I am really fond of this piece of art.
These are called Sonoran Neon. During the day they were quite boring but at night they looked like fireworks frozen in time.
These are Paintbrushes. The collection was kind of hidden from the commonly walked path.
This Chihuly art arrangement is on permanent display at the entrance of Desert Botanical Gardens. I always smile as I pass by, remembering past Chihuly special exhibitions at the Gardens.
These two images is what happens when you are retired and have too much time on your hands! It occurred to me that some of the images might be fun to play around with black and white conversions.
Thanks for joining us on our photo-trip. Up next is the Chihuly glassworks that were housed in the Gallery. Oh my goodness, there were some fascinating pieces in there. Stay tuned.
Crystal Bridges Part III
We were excited that there was a Chihuly exhibit at the Crystal Bridges Art Museum. It is now common to see his glass in gardens, museums, public courtyards and large building spaces. We were on the lookout for something new. We were not disappointed.
There were several Chihuly glass sculptures nicely placed inside the Museum for us to enjoy in spite of the heavy rain that kept us from enjoying the full exhibit outdoors. These may be permanent displays at the Museum.
This larger than life heart hangs in the restaurant. I kept being amazed over and over about te impact of these curved beames.
For sale in the gift shop.
These delightful and colorful floating balls are called, Niijima Floats. Chihuly was inspired on a visit to Niijima Island in Japan in 1989 to create these spheres. He noted that, "It's interesting that the most difficult series I have ever blown are the Floats, considering a sphere is the easiest form to make in glass. It's the most natural form you could blow. But, it's not natural at this scale."
Taken from above by hiking a lovely wooded path.
Yep, I was there! The map does provide an interesting view of the Museum's full site.
Right or straight?
This is the Boathouse 7 Neon display.
It had just finished raining when we started down the path and there were a few sprinkles as we walked the tour. It was wonderful and the light is very nice when photographing the reflective glass.
These are Turquoise Reeds and Ozark Fiori.
These are Neodymium Reeds on Logs.
Sol d'Oro.
Belugas.
Fiori Boat.
These are titled, Squero di San Trovaso Chandelier and Campiello Barbaro Chandelier, but I don't remember which is which.
