Sunday October 27 was the last day of the Chihuly exhibition of glass sculptures at Kew Gardens. I had been waiting to see this and the weather deities granted a beautiful sunny day. The sculptures are dotted about through the gardens with several in the Temperate house. The first one greeted us at the Victoria Gate: The Sapphire Star.
From there we went on to the Temperate House.
Inside there were many amazing glass creations. Some of them looked like they were live creatures moving among the plants.
I want my work to appear like it came from nature, so that if someone found it on a beach or in the forest, they might think it belonged there.
Dale Chihuly
A central glass sculpture was dominant.
Take a closer look at the detail of the flowers.
Outside there were other glass sculptures dotted about in different areas. Here are The Paintbrushes backed by the changing seasons of the leaves.
Below is the Summer Sun reflected in the pond in front of the Palm House.
Take a closer look at that red and yellow “sun”.
Each one of those rods of glass has been individually created and then inserted carefully to create this sculpture.
One of the last areas we visited was the Japanese garden and the Niijima Floats. Each of the glass balls was different and interestingly detailed.
I think it comes from the fact that we don’t use a lot of tools, but natural elements to make the glass—fire, gravity, centrifugal force. As a result, it begins to look like it was made by nature.
Dale Chihuly
You’ve certainly done them justice with your great photos. The first time I saw his art was in Vegas, where he’s got a bunch hanging from the lobby ceiling at one of the hotels along the strip.
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Thank you! I’m so glad you liked the photos. I think they looked so good in amongst the plants.
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Those glass sculptures are so amazing.
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They really are. It was a thrill for me to see them. Thanks for leaving a comment.
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You’re very welcome.
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Chihuly is a genius. I love glass art, and am constantly blown away by his creativity and technical skill. Thanks for sharing your photos — I don’t really get the chance to see his work otherwise.
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Fascinating, and gorgeous pics!!!
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Thanks Jeff. It was wonderful to see
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Why have I never heard of this before?! It’s stunning!
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Chihuly is from Seattle . The exhibition of his work has been at Kew since April and is now over. But his work has been seen in many places around the world
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Interesting, I’ll have to keep an eye out for it.
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Beautiful sculptures! Love how they are connected with nature.
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Thank you Terri! They are truly amazing.
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Fantastic art, can’t guess they are glass. Very hard and inspiring work. Like the first quote much inspires to do something like that and live forever. On the whole very lovable post
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Thank you Subbashini!
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I’ve seen his work in three widely separated locations. Always wondered how the heck they safely ship all those (expensive) tons of fragile glass.
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Having examined these close up I cannot imagine the delicate process of dismantling these sculptures. My husband says that in a previous exhibition in Germany it was decided that they would not bring some of them back due to the expense of shipping and the sculptures were left and sold. I have not heard that anything like that is planned for the ones at Kew.
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We were able to see some of his work during a trip through Seattle a few years ago. It is beautiful indeed.
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Such amazing and beautiful photos! ❤️
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Thank you Diana. It was a pleasure to take them
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Amazing art. Liked the Summer Sun reflecting in the pond.,
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Yes I was so happy to see that. I thought there is a nice capture of a ‘double ‘ Summer Sun. Thanks for your comment.
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Great quotes. And photos too!
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My sister blessed me with the opportunity to see Chihuly’s exhibit at our local botanical garden. What a joy to see so many of the same pieces. Stunning.
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They are really something and all unique .
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How stunning – and uplifting. Thanks for sharing!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed them Vicky!
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Saw this exhibit several years ago at the AGO in Toronto. But the outdoor Installation is definitely appropriate!
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It is unique. And Kew is sucha wonderful setting for the glass sculptures.
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Thank you for the fabulous tour, Anne! Beautiful images!
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You are most welcome Amy! Glad you enjoyed the Chihuly,
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What a stunning exhibition Anne and a real treat to see 🙂💜 Thank you for taking us along and enjoy the rest of your time in London! 🤗💖 xxx
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Thank you Xenia. I am happy to have taken you along to see these marvelous glass sculptures!
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I’ve always admired the skill it takes to work with glass. Absolutely stunning!
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I agree it is extraordinary. Thank you for commenting
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Wonderful commentary . The installation is sensitive and additive. By not copying nature, but inspired by it, Chihuly has augmented nature for our delight. he is the Jazz of glass.
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So beautiful!
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Thank you for commenting
Glad you liked the glass sculptures.
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Beautiful shots of some remarkable sculptures, Anne 😁
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Thank you Jez.
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Oh, they are quite beautiful (though I wonder how they’d stand up to some harsh winter weather).
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We saw the exhibit on the last day so they have already been dismantled I think. But they did survive in Kew since April so they did have some wind and rain but no freezing temps.im glad you liked them.and thanks for commenting.
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Yes they remind me of those vases!
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