8/31/08

Great beauty in OKC

Saturday we made a flying visit to OKC to visit the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, mainly for the 'Roman Art from the Louvre' exhibition. However we found ourselves far more blown away by the museums collection of Dale Chihuly glass.

Let me immediately say, the Rome exhibition is well worth visiting and there is some wondrous ancient statuary and jewelry on display. They also have an excellent audio tour to accompany your visit and educate you further on Roman life and times.

However as someone who has visited Rome twice and seen similar pieces in their original ancient surroundings, it just wasn't the same for me. The hubster actually felt the same way, despite just visiting the Roman Baths in Bath, England. We both found it interesting and if you have never seen ancient masterpieces in the flesh, then I urge you to go and soak it all up. They don't allow photography in that exhibition, so sorry no piccies from it.

But there probably aren't enough superlatives to describe the stunning beauty and skill involved in the production of Chihuly blown glass. This is the permanent exhibit at the museum and was just awe-inspiring and has that "WOW" factor.

Dale Chihuly is an American world reknowned artist in blown glass, who leads the way in this artistic field and has for many years. He is on the cutting edge of this medium and works with a team to produce stunning visionary and challenging glass works of art for both commercial installations and private commissions.

His work has been influenced by his life; his plant life forms are reminiscent of his mothers garden in Tacoma, Washington. His boats filled with coloured glass orbs and seaforms reflect his love of the sea, Pam OKC later told me this is her favourite piece below. He is a master of flowing forms, architectural pieces and amazing colours and patterns in his work.

I fell totally in love with his glass ceiling, the reflecting coloured light was just magical and I wanted to just lay down right there on the floor and gaze at it in wonder. I thought it would make a stunning setting for a music video. If we ever win millions in a lottery, I will be commissioning him to make me a room with a glass ceiling I can escape into!

The hubster loved the plant forms and the free flowing wall designs, that were so intricate it's hard to take it all in. We were both constantly asking "how", this is truly an exhibition that makes you think and question.


The largest exhibit is the tower of glass stunningly placed for full effect in the glass entrance to the museum. It is huge and as the hubster stated a few times during our visit, "I would hate to be responsible for moving and setting up these displays"!

In the museum shop they had 2 original small pieces that were $6,600! So it may be a long time before we can afford to own any, but I know we'd jump at the chance if we ever find ourselves rich suddenly. Guess we'd better start playing the lottery!

16 comments:

Stevyn Colgan said...

I've been a huge fan of the one-eyed glassblower for many years. There's an amazing chandelier by him hanging over the foyer of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

And did you know that one of his vases is prominently and permanently on display by the fireplace in Frasier's apartment in the series of the same name?

Nice post Sarah!

Unknown said...

Wow. Who knew glass could be so interesting? Don't think there's anything quite like that here in England . . .

Anonymous said...

In 2007 I was lucky enough to visit a temporary installation of his work at the Phipps conservatory & Botanial gardens in Pittsburgh. It was awe inspiring. There is an exhibition schedule list on his website (Chihuly.com). It's well worth the trip if you live nearby any of these exhibit venues.

Pam said...

I sooo love the Chihuly exhibit. I'm with your husband on the moving and setting it up. Also, think about dusting it all! ha. I love that yellow/blue tower in the entryway. And the boat full of balls. And the seals. And the ceiling. I hope that isn't the glass ceiling they talk about breaking! And they are surprisingly hard to photograph, aren't they! You did great!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Simply breathtaking. A couple of years ago I visiting the Chihuly glass exhibit in the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Incredible, jaw-dropping works placed all over the gardens. It was unbelievably beautiful.

Janet said...

WONDERFUL photos, Sarah - WOW!

Janet

Daryl said...

LOVE these photos Sarah

I have a small 'planet' that he made .. its really a marble but the swirls and bubbles and whatever make it look like a planet ..

:-Daryl

Rhea said...

OMG, GORGEOUS! I love blown glass art. All the colors, the smooth patterns, it's just impressive. What a cool exhibit!

Anonymous said...

Wow. Awesome! Excellent pictures Sarah and thanks for educating and sharing.

Sherri said...

WOW, that glass was phenomenal!! I love blown glass items and exhibitions. Thanks for sharing Sarah!

Unknown said...

Yes it was quite an exhibit and I loved the challenge of photographing it.

Stevyn - the V&A my fave museum of all, but I don't remember this so maybe it's new since my last visit 5 yrs ago?

Pam - dusting! OMG never thought of that LOL.

Pamela - I read on his website that he is now installing exhibits in natural surroundings, I would love to see one.

Daryl - green with envy ;-)

Brenda B said...

Wow that's amazing art! A few years ago we visited Monterey Aquarium and they had a fantastic Jellyfish exhibition. One part of it was all hand blown glass, from the wavy tentacles of the seaweed and sea vegetables to the creatures hidden among them to the octopus and jellyfish suspended from the low ceiling and "floating" among the rest of the display. It was absolutely incredible!

You might want to pop over to my blog, in a vain effort to "meet" more new people in blogland, I've tagged you!

Jill said...

His ceiling in one of the hotels in Las Vegas is amazing... His work - breathtaking.

I'll join you on the getting rich scheme. I could use a few more dollars in my pockets these days!

Tamara Jansen said...

FABULOUS!

Aim said...

WOW you have just opened my eyes to a truly great artist I'd never heard of. I was in awe of every pic you posted! Thanks for a really wonderful and enlightening blog post :)

Janet said...

That looks like a wonderful exhibit. I have some friends in Washington state who have a glass blowing studio, they do some beautiful work. Cheaper too.