Monday, October 13, 2014

Dreams in Silica


Are there objects of beauty
that make your heart sing?






If I've learned anything in my travels,
it is that humans are art makers
and they express themselves
with an astounding variety of mediums.
Yet each piece is unique.







When I look at or touch a piece of art,
I think of the artist who made it.
I try to imagine his or her thoughts and emotions.
I  feel a connection that transcends time and space.

My heart sings to dreams in silica.







To think that exquisite and fragile objects
are forged from sand in fire
is amazing to me.


Silica to Glass


My heart sings 
when I see the imagination of Chihuly
take flight in fire.






To my absolute delight
a Chihuly Exhibit is gracing
the Denver Botanical Gardens this fall.

So last weekend Terry and I took in
the joyful and exuberant exhibit. 












A number of Chihuly installations,
large and small,
are dispersed throughout the gardens:
each different, each surprising
in its juxtaposition with nature's inventiveness.







Here are a few more images
of the first large installation we discovered.





























If I ever win a lottery,
you know where some of my $$$$$ will be going.









31 comments:

  1. Oh wow , that last piece is absolutely stunning!!
    When i look at or touch a piece of Art I also think of the artist who created it. There is something so special in the gift they have and share. I treasure it. Thanks for sharing such lovely pictures!

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    1. Your words don't surprise me, Dawna! I know that you have an old soul! :)

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  2. Chihuly's artwork is amazing. I saw one of his exhibits a few years ago. Your photos really capture the beauty.

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    1. Thanks, Alex! I first learned about Dale Chihuly when I spent some weeks with Terry in Seattle over twenty years ago. Whenever I get a chance, I go see his work. Fortunately for me, there is a magnificent Chihuly installation at the Bellagio in Las Vegas and a Chihuly gallery/store as well. Since I usually get to Vegas at least once a year, I get to feast my eyes on his beautiful art. His lovely glass art defies description! Have a good one!

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  3. So beautiful, lovely images! Nature, animals, birds, flowers, trees, etc., as well as water in the form of fountains, rivers, the sea, lakes, make my heart sing! One of my favourite artists is Claude Monet.

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    1. I think goodness also makes your heart sing, Linda! And anyone who frequents your blog knows how much you love water and nature. I also love Monet as an artist. I saw some breathtaking Monets in London, but most were in places I couldn't photograph them. Have a happy Monday!

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  4. I agree - the number of mediums through which people express themselves absolutely blows my mind...

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    1. Hi, Keith! I'm hoping your comment means that you are back from your recruiting travels. I am endlessly fascinated with how humans create art ~ and music and story. Creation is a fundamental part of who we are as humans ~ Tolkien's theory of sub creation. That's one of the things that breaks my heart about education in recent years, the trend to save money and time by cutting art, music, and p.e. to have more of both for more testing. We are slashing our souls in the process. Take care!

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  5. I am captivated by glass ~ by the mixing and mixtures of different shades of any colour ~ I could view a piece of artwork for ages and never see the same thing twice.

    How fortunate you both are to see this exhibit. It must have been so uplifting!

    Happy Canadian Thanksgiving BTW ~~ we had 2 turkey dinners ~ not here at the house but at 2 restaurants and the Grand Pre extravaganza won out!!

    Yay Valley!!

    Ron

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    1. I know that you two had a "stuffed" Thanksgiving, for sure! What yummy fun. Donnie had eighteen at her table in the Cove. Her husband Martin handled the cleanup while Donnie drove all the university kiddos back to Acadia and Dalhousie as well as an airport run for her daughter Krista. I think I'd have chosen KP duty myself over all that driving.

      Terry and I thoroughly enjoyed the Chihuly exhibit, and I have at least one more post in the works. It was truly something. I can look at art endlessly.

      Have a good week!

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  6. SPEECHLESS!
    Thank you for sharing this exquisite exhibit, Louise.
    And the photos! Don't get me started!!

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  7. Amazing, Louise! These pieces are spectacular. I am always fascinated by the imagination of artists.

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    1. Thank you, Martha! Artists have such different ways of looking at the world and life. Have a good one!

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  8. Awesome shots, can stare at them and see all kinds of things. Sure takes some imagination to come up with them.

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    1. Chihuly is definitely an original, and he has done so much to elevate the art of glass. Some of his work takes my breath away. Have a good one!

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  9. What a unique talent. My sister saw some of his work in Seattle. Fascinating.

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    1. Hi Peggy! I first learned of Chihuly in Seattle as well, although the museum didn't exist in 1993. If I ever get back to Seattle I'm going straight to the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum! I'll get to feast my eyes on his gorgeous installation in the lobby of the Bellagio in Vegas in just a few weeks though ~ and in his incredible store which is also in the Bellagio. I look at them every chance I get! Take care!

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  10. I love certain works of art. I'm very fond of Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, and Andy Warhol.

    Love,
    Jaie

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    1. Van Gogh really speaks to me, Janie! I saw one of his sunflower paintings in London last spring. And Warhol is lots of fun ~ He turned art upside down when he came on the scene. And now you've introduced me to Kahlo whom I did not know. I love her vibrant use of color. She comes across as very strong in her self portraits. Take care ~ I know you are hurting right now.

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    2. Thank you. I have seen one Kahlo in person. It was her wedding self-portrait with Diego Rivera. It's in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. The Hurricane and I sat on a bench across from it and soaked up every detail. I knew I was in the presence of greatness.

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  11. Replies
    1. Thanks, Adam. Beauty is what I see when I look at his breathtaking glass.

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  12. Something else we have in common, I love art!
    If I had money to buy art like this, I would buy lots of it and have a museum where everyone could see it!
    But then, I would make sure you had at least one piece because I like you so much!

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    1. Thank you, kind Kay! We do like a lot of the same things! Happy Hump Day to you! *hugs*

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  13. Spellbinding photography! These are some of the most captivating images I've seen yet of this exhibit! I can see your love of beauty through your photos! (And you have a very good eye!)

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    1. Thank you, Snowcatcher! Your encouraging comment made my day! Have a good one!

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  14. That is a wonderful post, Fundy!
    I just couldn't figure out your first pics since I understood after a while you had taken its reflection with the water lily leaves!!
    All the sculptures are very graphic, colorful and original!
    Cheers, keep well!

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    1. Bonne mercredi, mon cher ami! I deliberately chose the perplexing image of the water lily leaves and reflected sculpture for the first photo, because I was trying to portray Chihuly's unorthodox imagination and use of glass. I was hoping it would pique the curiosity of the people who saw the photo and maybe draw them in ~ without confusing them enough to turn them away. I'm always trying different things. And I was fascinated with the reflections myself. It was a magnificent day at the gardens. Take care!

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  15. WOW! I don't even know what else to say about that white/purple tree-type structure. AMAZING. What a legacy he will leave behind one day. Such talent. WOW.

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  16. Hi Audrey! It's so good to see you! That piece is quite something! I've been enjoying Chihuly's work for over two decades, and I never tire of seeing it. Have a good day!

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Thank you for your comments! I appreciate them very much.