The Museum of Glass (MOG) in Tacoma, Washington, has a gallery, Spotlight on Dale Chihuly, in which some of Chihuly’s works are exhibited. Slightly more than 50 years ago, in 1968, American artist Dale Chihuly was able to observe Italian glassmaking techniques on the island of Murano. Here he was impressed by two basic ideas: the need for technical prowess and the importance of collaboration, of working as a team.
According to the Museum display:
“Chihuly returned to the Pacific Northwest inspired to recreate the culture he had observed in Murano. His trip led him to co-found Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington, with John H. Hauberg and Anne Gould Hauberg, which remains one of the world’s preeminent glass schools. It also kickstarted a career of art-making which pushed the boundaries of the material and changed public perception about the possibilities of glass art. As a result, the Pacific Northwest became one of the most dense, innovative glassblowing centers in the world.”
Shown below are some of the works which are on display in this gallery.
Shown above is Jumping Horse Cylinder (1976)
Shown above is Raw Sienna Macchia with Deep Red Lip Wrap (2002)
Shown above is Aurora Orange Basket Set with Night Black Lip Wrap (2002)
Another view of the basket.
Shown above is Persian Seaform (1988)
According to the display:
“Chihuly’s experimental attitude towards glass has led him to embrace the chemical and physical qualities of the material. In the case of Seaforms, he was struck by the fluidity of hot glass, and the way in which the rapid-cooling of glass freezes this movement.”
Shown above is Silvered Venetian with Amber (2009)
Shown above is Black Basket Set with Cobalt Lip Wrap (2006)
Shown above is Cadmium Orange Macchia Set with Windsor Emerald Lip Wrap (1985)
Shown above is Gibson Chandelier (2000). This was originally designed for a private home. It is an “end of the day” piece in that it was composed from a combination of extra glass pieces used in other projects.
Shown above is Lapis Blue Ikebana Gourd with Putti Stem (1991).
More glass art
Union Station: Chihuly Glass (Art Diary)
Museum of Glass: Out of the Vault (Art Diary)
Museum of Glass: Gathering the Light (Art Diary)
Museums 101: The Studio Glass Art Movement (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Laguna Murano Chandelier (Art Diary)
Museums 101: Glass Art Works by Dale Chihuly (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Vessel Forms from the Studio Glass Movement (Art Diary)
Museums 101: Representational Glass Sculpture (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Exploring Glass Art by Native Artists (Art Diary)
