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This post was written by Children's Museum Blog Ambassador, Katy Mann. Follow Katy's posts on the blog or follow her on Twitter @indywithkids.
I didn't grow up in Indianapolis, but I've known about Dale Chihuly since I was a teenager. My cousin took a glassblowing class in college and because I idolized her, I learned about the things that she enjoyed. One summer she studied under Dale Chihuly and she told me how special that was, so to this day, I brag about it. The summer I moved to Indianapolis, she gave me a piece of her blown glass—a signature flower vase with no opening (because it’s beautiful enough to stand on its own without the added beauty of a flower).
Like the work my cousin produced, Chihuly has several signature tells in his work. They are recognizable by most Indianapolis area residents because of their exposure to his piece, Fireworks of Glass at The Children’s Museum. All of his work is unique, yet familiar to the children who see it scattered throughout the world.
Fireworks of Glass is a sort of icon for our family. When you mention “children’s museum,” it’s impossible to steer clear of images of this Chihuly piece, Bumblebee the Transformer, the Water Clock, and the dinosaurs breaking through the wall. Lying back on the turning seats on the bottom level of the museum, watching above as the pieces seem to move as if in a kaleidoscope—this experience is right up there on our “must do” list of museum activities.
We travel throughout the U.S. all year long and we’ve run across several of Mr. Chihuly's glass sculptures.
- We've seen his work at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. The Blue Chandelier was immediately recognized by my three year old. In the reflecting pool, you’ll see onion-shaped glass pieces floating (Walla Wallas) and then you can walk under the Sunset Herons which are also “very Chihuly.”
- The Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas is perfect for little Chihuly fans, much like the exhibit on the lower level of the museum, the glass pieces are on the ceiling and provide a colorful experience for guests. 2,000 blooms make up Fiori di Como, the largest glass sculpture ever made. Translated as "Flowers of Como," it was inspired by a hotel on Lake Como in Italy. You can also find “Blue Spears” in the Botanical Gardens inside of the Bellagio and another piece in the Baccarat Lounge.
- The Columbus, Indiana Area Visitors Center has a Chihuly piece that would be very familiar to young museum fans. The Yellow Neon Chandelier can be seen from the outside window but visitors are also invited to come inside and check it out. The city of Columbus is also home to the Sun Garden in Suspended Circle, at the Columbus Learning Center. My children did not immediately identify this as Chihuly, however it's similar to other signature work he does. If they were able to read, they might have had an easier time figuring it out, as each panel is signed by the artist.
- During spring break, we stayed at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee and came across a work called Resurgence. Hungarian artist Ludek Hroch was commissioned to create this piece when the hotel reopened following the recordbreaking floods of May 2010 that caused more than $270 million damage to the resort (as well as many Nashville businesses). My children immediately (and incorrectly) identified this work of art as one created by Mr. Chihuly. From this we discussed similarities and differences and the story behind the piece.
I love that one piece of art in a place that we are so familiar with can bring art to life—no matter where we travel in the world. I love that we can talk about why a piece of work might have a certain title, how we can point out the similarities with pieces that we are already familiar with, and how my children can have an air of culture about them at such a young age. I love the appreciation they are gaining for art and I have no doubt that their travels will continue to introduce them to new and familiar pieces.
