Chihuly Amazing — Sophisticated St. Louis

St. Louis has been graced with the magnificent glass art creations of Dale Chihuly in private collections, museum collections and two exhibitions in conjunction with the Missouri Botanical Garden, first in 2006 and now thru October 15, 2023 in what is called “Chihuly in the Garden 2023.” The artist’s world-renowned glass sculptures have captivated audiences around the globe. His presence here has added a new dimension to the city's artistic landscape, creating a visual spectacle that enchants and inspires all who encounter it, more than doubling the garden’s attendance during his first show and hopefully eclipsing that for his second.

Dale Chihuly
Summer Sun, 2010
Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, installed 2023
© 2023 Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved. Photo by Nathaniel Willson

Both the 2006 exhibition and the one currently on display transform the garden's lush landscapes into a magical wonderland of glass art. Spectators marvel at the sight of Chihuly's radiant glass sculptures nestled among the foliage, reflecting light and color in a harmonious dance with nature. Garden President, Dr. Peter Wyse Jackson, noted “’Chihuly in the Garden 2023' will be our most ambitious exhibition to date,” he says. “Chihuly’s art, designed specifically for the botanical garden setting, captures the imagination. As these works are especially mesmerizing at night, we’re delighted to also offer our Chihuly Nights experience.”

Dale Chihuly
Ethereal Spring Persians, 2022
Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, installed 2023
© 2023 Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved. Photo by Nathaniel Willson

The installations are transcendent when illuminated at night. Visitors can enjoy live music and entertainment as they stroll the Garden. Chihuly Nights runs Thursdays through Sundays, until August 27. Doors open at 6 p.m.

“The power of light has always fascinated me—how the light changes throughout the day and into dusk,” Chihuly was quoted as saying in a recent St. Louis Magazine article. “I love to see how my work changes with the light. After dark, the landscape disappears, and the experience with the artwork is completely new.”

“Our first exhibition with Chihuly in 2006 was so successful that we thought about bringing it back again,” says Vickie Campbell, vice president of Visitor Operations at MoBOT. “About four years ago, we started talking to the Chihuly Studio about what would make sense, knowing we were going to have a brand new $100-million Taylor Visitor Center with new south gardens. We thought this would intrigue Chihuly, as well. After four visits, working with our new environment, they curated this one-of-a-kind show expressly for us. “There are now 20 Chihuly installations on the Botanical Gardens’ 79 acres.”

Dale Chihuly
Float Boat, 2014, and *Niijima Floats*, 2023
Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, installed 2023
© 2023 Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved. Photo by Nathaniel Willson

Chihuly's artistic journey began in the early 1960s, when he started experimenting with glassblowing techniques at the University of Washington. Over the years, he pushed the boundaries of the art, exploring its limitless possibilities and redefining the medium's capabilities. His distinctive style is characterized by bold, vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and organic forms inspired by nature.

The Missouri Botanical Garden serves as the perfect backdrop for Chihuly's creations, allowing visitors to experience the interplay between art and the environment. The delicate glass herons, lyrical reeds, and ethereal orbs seem to come alive, as if they were an intrinsic part of the botanical wonders surrounding them. Chihuly's installation not only elevates the garden's beauty but also sparks a dialogue about the relationship between art, nature, and human perception.

In addition to the Missouri Botanical Garden, Chihuly's presence has extended to other notable locations in St. Louis. His artwork has graced the Saint Louis Art Museum, where visitors have been enthralled by his glass chandeliers and intricate ceiling installations. The juxtaposition of Chihuly's contemporary glass art within the museum's classical architecture creates a captivating visual contrast, highlighting the timelessness and versatility of the medium.

Moreover, Chihuly's impact on St. Louis extends beyond the confines of galleries and gardens. His work has inspired local artists and ignited a renewed appreciation for glass art within the city's creative community. Many emerging artists have been drawn to the medium, inspired by Chihuly's ability to infuse glass with life and capture its inherent beauty. St. Louis has become a hub for glass art enthusiasts, fostering a vibrant and inclusive environment for the exploration of this captivating art form at places such as Third Degree Glass Factory.

Dale Chihuly
Vivid Lime Icicle Tower, 2022
Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, installed 2023
© 2023 Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved. Photo by Nathaniel Willson

Dale Chihuly's legacy in St. Louis goes beyond the transient beauty of his installations. His work serves as a reminder of the transformative power of art, capable of transcending boundaries and inspiring awe and wonder. Through his innovative approach to glass art, Chihuly has pushed the limits of the medium and brought it into the realm of pure artistic expression.

The installation on this issue’s cover is called Float Boats. According to Campbell, “The interesting story about this is there's also a film that we got from the Smithsonian that talks more about Chihuly and how he does things. He does the boat series and he does the chandelier series. The Float Boats came about because he was throwing pieces for the chandeliers that he was going to hang. He was just throwing them off a bridge into the water. Then they'd get picked up and they'd hang [the piece] in a tree or they'd hang it under a bridge. Chihuly watched the assistant who was in the boat pick up the balls and put them in the boats. And he said, ‘I like that. I'm going to do that.’ So that's where he came up with that unique piece.”

One of the signature pieces of the installations is called Summer Sun. It was transported in boxes to St. Louis in five 53-foot trucks and took three days to put together. In all, it took 10 people three weeks to install all the Chihuly pieces throughout the gardens.

As visitors to and residents of St. Louis encounter Chihuly's glass creations, they are transported into a world of imagination and beauty. The interplay of light, color, and form evokes a sense of wonder, inviting contemplation and introspection. Chihuly's presence in St. Louis has elevated the city's artistic landscape, infusing it with a sense of enchantment and awe-inspiring creativity.

Dale Chihuly
Neodymium Reeds on Logs, 2022
Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, installed 2023
© 2023 Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved. Photo by Nathaniel Willson

In a city known for its artistic fervor, Dale Chihuly has left an indelible mark. His glass art installations have become integral to St. Louis' cultural identity, inviting both locals and tourists to explore the intersection of art and nature. As St. Louis continues to evolve as a cultural destination, Chihuly's contributions will remain an enduring testament to the transformative power of art and its ability to shape and inspire communities.