A brief presentation of the glass artist Dale Chihuly created for a color theory course.

1. The American Glass Designer
& Entrepreneur

2.  Glass has been used for over 2000 years
 Has a transparent quality, material illuminates light
 Has the unique ability to transmit and diffuse light
 Mixture of infinite colors; Cobalt blue is the easiest color to
create in glass sculptures
 Glass is extremely pliable and the only medium besides clay
that has flexibility unlike stone, metal and wood
 Creates jewel-like shapes and forms
 Glass takes 4 minutes to form shapes under intense heat
 Speed is the key to technical formation
 Each piece has precision and tension

3. Earlier Years
 Born in Tacoma, Washington in 1941
 Mother was a gardener and had a strong influence
on him in his youth
 Was inspired by nature and flowers in the garden

4.  1965-1967 University of Washington
Studied interior design
 1968 University of Wisconsin
Received MS in Sculpture
 1969-1980 Taught at Haystack School in Maine
Chairperson of the glass department
 1983 Rhode Island School of Design (Providence)
Established the glass department

5.  Seashell-like formations
 Flowers and plant forms that took on natural life forms
 Organic abstract sculptures
 Glass chandeliers
 Three-dimensional architectural glass art installations

6. Facts about
Chihuly
 Uses complimentary
colors in his art
work
 Works are not
symmetrical
 Begins ideas from
painting on large
canvases
 Enjoys working in
nature and loves the
desert and ocean

7. Teamwork
CHIHULY JAPAN BLOW, 1989 BENJAMIN MOORE, DANTE MARIONI, CHIHULY,
ROBBIE (LEFT TO RIGHT)

8. Inspiration
 Crystal Palace was built  Chihuly purchased a
in 1851 in London, glass house in Chicago
England which was similar to a greenhouse
made of cast iron and which influenced his
glass garden and flower
 Was built in 17 weeks structures
and was 19 acres

9.  Produced environmental glass and produced major
architectural installations
 Worked as an architect in Seattle, Washington in 1968
 Became first American glassblower at the Venini factory in
Murano
 Established Pilchuck Glass School in Starwood, Washington
in 1971

10. • Chihuly explored color, design and forms that characterized
his work
• His approach was too exploit the qualities of the glass
medium to evoke a wider range of psychological and
emotional responses of his audience

11.  Chihuly was introduced to Venetian glass which is a
lightweight, colorful glass used in Venice since the 16th
Century
 Had his first trip to London, England where his work was
displayed at the Victoria & Albert Museum which is the
largest museum in Europe (11 acres)
 Had his first trip to Israel
 Used neon, argon and blown glass forms to create room sized
installations

12.  Established Pilchuck Glass School in Starwood, Washington
 Glass Forest – used agriculture and weaved glass structures
in a natural environment to produce exhibitions
 Navajo Cylinders
 Pilchuck Baskets
 Seaforms Series

13. CYCAD CIRCLE LAVENDER HERONS, CYCAD CIRCLE LAVENDER HERONS & CYCAD CIRCLE FIDDLEHEADS,
2005 GREEN HORNETS, 2005 2006
"CHIHULY AT FAIRCHILD" "CHIHULY AT FAIRCHILD" "CHIHULY AT FAIRCHILD"
DECEMBER 3, 2005 – MAY 31, 2006 DECEMBER 3, 2005 – MAY 31, 2006 DECEMBER 9, 2006 – MAY 31, 2007
FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC
GARDEN GARDEN GARDEN
CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA

14.  Chihuly lost his left eye in a car accident in 1976 where he lost
his depth perception
 Began working with a group of artists, crafts people and
master glassblowers that produced massive glass structures
that could not be attainable by working alone
 Dislocated his left shoulder while bodysurfing where he was
no longer able to hold the glass blowing pipe
 Gave up his job as a master glassblower position to William
Morris

15. • Created the “Seaform series” consisting of shell-like forms
• Created the “Soft Cylinder” series which combined elements of the
earlier “Basket and Cylinder” series.
• Developed the new “Persian series” with former RISD student
Martin Blank as gaffer which included biomorphic shapes
• Developed large scale, multicolored forms known as the “Macchia
Series”
• Created “Venetian Series” with master Italian glassblower Lino
Tuglia Pietra as gaffer

17. Basket & Cylinder Series

18. Persian Series

19. Persian Ceilings

20. Macchia Series

21. Venetian Series

22. Created large & dramatic
3-dimensional chandeliers
which gained international recognition

23. Chandeliers

24. Towers

25. • In the early 1990’s, Chihuly’s workshops was housed in a
factory on the waterfront of Seattle
• “Chihuly Over Venice” was a two-year project which
included hanging over 14 chandelieurs in Finland, Ireland,
Mexico and Venice
• Designed sets & lighting for a production of Peleas et
Melisandre by the Seattle Opera Company and commissions
for public space including his most awarding project in 1999
“Light of Jerusalem” in Israel

26. • Waterford Crystal in Waterford County, Ireland
• River of Glass in Finland

27. 1996
 Vitro Factory in Monterrey,
Mexico
 Sleeping Lady Conference
Retreat in Leavenworth,
Washington
 Icicle Creek Chandelier
 A 4-5 foot long icicle chandelier
outside structure designed for
100 mph winds and stood 10-feet
tall
• Flare at the top and was built
loose to allow wind to be able to
blow through the structure
 Over 6 feet of snow fell and none
of the glass broke while it
remained outside for weeks

28.  Traveled to Israel five (5) times before starting inspired work
 Inspired by ice blocks and received a creative vision to design
an ice sculpture
 Shipped 15 massive blocks of ice from Alaska to Israel
 Stated that ideas came from his gut and it was the most
rewarding piece of work completed
 Over 1 million people visited the exhibit

29. Light of Jerusalem

30.  International exhibit at the Victorian & Albert Museum in
London
 Chihuly Gardens & Glass located at the Garfield Park
Conservatory in Chicago, IL
 Potatoes & Bamboo Project
 Crystal Tree of Lights for the White House
 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, UT
 Begins Silvered Series

31.  Sales estimated $29 million reported by Seattle Times

32. Chihuly’s installations have been featured in
large indoor & outdoor venues at botanical gardens in:
 Chicago
 Columbus
 Atlanta
 Miami
 Phoenix
Works found in over 150 major museums

33. What’s Next?
Chihuly Garden and Glass Groundbreaking Ceremony
August 23, 2011. Seattle, Washington
Opens Spring 2012

34. • His career expands over four decades
• Chihuly has transformed the industry of glass artwork
through his creative vision
• Recognized as an international premier glass artist where he
is featured in books, essays and PBS specials
• Collaborated with a team of artists, designers and staff

35. Books
The Art of Glass from Galle to Chihuly Highlights from the Lowenbach Collection, Copyright 2007
Newark Museum Association p. 11-15, p 24-26, p 34-38
Videos
Chihuly Gardens & Glass
Directed by Peter West
Chihuly in the Light of Jerusalem
Directed by Peter West
Chihuly Short Cuts
Directed by Peter West, Michael Barnard, Ken Samuelson
Photos
www.Chihuly.com
Websites
Holstengalleries.com/artists/show/chihuly-7

36. Yolanda Berry