The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix springs a light show every winter, starting at the end of November. The garden lights 7,000 luminarias on every pathway and on the roof off the buildings. That alone would be breathtaking. This year, they added the glass art of Dale Chihuly, making the tour a nighttime must-see.
Chihuly sculputre at the Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix
The organic glass sculptures look like otherworldly desert plants. Some are tall and sinuous, others looks like glowing rocks in a reed garden.
The tall, dark red reed-like structures create a cathedral. The cactus and desert trees around them look like Gothic arches. But when I moved just slightly, the same image changed to a smoke and fiery hell of red embers and incense smoke.
The paths wind through the darkened gardens lighting the trees from below and washing the paths in a soft, sandy glow. Music is stationed around the grounds, and you can drift from Native American flute music to folk guitar to big band. There
Chihuly scultpure installation
are also wine-tasting bars and coffee stations. You can walk and listen and be swept away by the plants, the lighting, the glass and the food. It is an amazing evening you shouldn’t miss.
–Quinn McDonald is a writer and certified creativity coach.
Chihuly installation in long exposure
Luminarias and tree lights
This is truly gorgeous stuff – this art glass. I have photos from the only piece in the Milwaukee Art Museum, and the colors and details in his work are amazing. I laughed about the orgasm comment.
Is it really what his work is about, or are we all just in a preoccupied state when we look at his art?
—Don’t know what Chihuly thinks when he works, but his work is organic, and organic means natural in all its glory. Once we put Puritan ways aside, it is fascinating art. On the other hand, I’m sure *someone* is, at this very moment, wondering if it should be banned. Oy.
I really wanted to go see that, buy it opened the day after I left Phoenix…
Thanks for the photos!
—-This exhibit was more than I expected. And that was in the dark! I’m heading back to see it in the daytime, too.
We have a four story chihuly sculpture at the front of the OKC Art Museum. I laughed when my friend told me it was a glass orgasm, but then I went to look at it, and I think she’s right! LOL In the setting sun it is magnificent: I think an outdoor display with holiday lights would be even more exciting!
—OK, so I HAD to look this sculpture up, and I think you are right–that’s EXACTLY what it looks like! –Q
Love Chihuly! these photos are wonderful:)
Susan
—Even the ones that didn’t come out are fun to look at. It is an amazing exhibit at night. I’m going back for a second look during the day. In sunlight, they must be wonderful! –Q