Legendary Dale Chihuly

Over the years I have worked with several extremely talented glass blowers. A few of them had apprenticed for the legendary Dale Chihuly. All were in one way or another influenced by the glass art master. When it comes to blowing glass, it is virtually impossible to ignore the accomplishments of an individual who contributes so much to an art form. Glass blowing is a technically challenging form of creative expression with a long history.

*Chihuly Garden and Glass; an explosion of color*

Legendary Dale Chihuly

Witnessing the entire process first hand during my time in the studios with these artisans gives me a unique perspective on glass blowing. Handling and manipulating the molten glass requires incredible strength, swift action, constant motion and far more experience than you might imagine. The larger the pieces are, the more challenging the process becomes.

The Art of Glass Blowing

Many people think of Murano Italy when they see a beautiful work of blown glass. Serious glass art lovers like myself think of Chihuly, because his works are so large and imaginative. Even those not naturally inclined to seek out glass art may have still heard the name Dale Chihuly. The reason is that his studio produces installations so large and impressive, that they are impossible to ignore. Images of these works frequently appear in television commercials, movies and TV shows. Seeing hundreds of hand-blown large scale glass art sculptures assembled together and suspended from a ceiling, is a sight to behold.

Creating these architectural masterpieces requires serious engineering, teams of talented artisans and precise management of the process. The stunning beauty of the finished works is achieved with everyone working under the direction of the world’s most visionary, talented and famous glass art master.

Chihuly Garden and Glass

A visit to the Dale Chihuly Garden and Glass attraction in Seattle Washington is by far the best way to experience this art up close. The property is centrally located near other museums and right next to the iconic Seattle Space Needle. You can go to see the glass art for a few hours and still have time to experience other attractions. No matter what time of day you are there, the indoor and outdoor glass looks stunning.

Light & Color

Some areas however do receive natural light. The outdoor areas of course are much more impacted by natural light, but they look gorgeous no matter what. The interaction between light and blown glass is important. Everything looks a bit different depending in where you are positioned. For those with a keen eye and a desire to spend extra time with their favorite pieces, the subtle nuances can be the best part of their experience. As an artist myself, I was particularly impressed by the attention to detail in the presentations. Much of the glass sits on dark reflective glass pedestals. This makes everything appear to be floating in space and twice as large as it actually is. The dark reflective glass is far more elegant than it would be if typical mirror was used.

Those who like a lot of color are in for a treat. Dale Chihuly earns high respect for his mastery of color. That said, there are some relatively understated compositions for people like myself who prefer more retrained use of color. No matter what your personal taste may be, a visit to this spectacular Seattle attraction will be well worth your time and the cost of admission. Chihuly Garden and Glass, 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109; https://www.chihulygardenandglass.com/