Chihuly

Wandering the Chihuly exhibit was an amazing adventure. I can't help but think today of where I was one year ago, Seattle, Washington. A wonderful city filled with sights, sounds, smells, and flavors all unique to itself. This city has so many unique things to do including a ride up the Space Needle, strolls through the Pike Market Place, standing at the feet of the giant Fremont Troll or laughing at the Center of the Universe sign. All are fun activities to check out. One of my favorite memories, exploring Chihuly Garden and Glass.

This exhibit is permanently displayed in an amazing building at the base of the Space Needle and has so many awe inspiring pieces of art displayed throughout. Upon first entering the exhibit one is immediately plunged into a dark space. One side of the room is lit, blue and pink columns of glass spike up from their squat bases and seem to be illuminated from inside. It was beautiful, I wanted to stay where I was and yet wanted to move forward to see what other pieces lie ahead. I moved into the next room and was overtaken by a change in feel from the first room. Instead of bright blues and pinks the art displayed were browns, whites, and beiges. All tied around the theme of Native American art. One wall was covered in brightly woven traditional Native American Blankets. Sepia toned images of Native Americans filled another wall. Highlighted among the beautiful baskets were Chihuly glass all designed and blown to encompass the feeling that the other art pieces showcased. I was staring in wonder at the beauty when a tower of blue in the next room caught my eye.

This next room seemed to be a showcase on the ocean. A large tower of sculpted glass took up the center of the room, in the corners small pieces resembling different creatures of the sea took up residence. Near the room entrance was an official Chihuly visitor photographer. She got the attention of those entering the room and offered to take a picture in front of this amazing display. I smiled to myself as I listened to her singsong countdown "1....2....3" before snapping each picture. The design of the room created the perfect environment for her song to resonate off the walls and fill the space. Eventually, I had circled the room and circled back around to the entry. The photographer had a moment free so it was now my turn in front of the camera. She expertly guided me and mom to set our belongings down where they wouldn't show in the photo then sang out "1..2...3" then snapped the picture.

 We traveled from room to room. One room overwhelmed with a ceiling loaded with blown glass pieces. One could stare up at the display for hours and still find new pieces. Some were abstract blown glass while others were designed to look like something, perhaps a small sea creature right in the middle of the piles of large saucers of glass. Other rooms boasted large gardens of glass made in bright yellows, reds, and oranges. The colored glass lit so bright that it almost hurt the eyes.

The final few rooms were filled with massive chandelier style displays. All swirls of glass pulled together in massive pieces that left me feeling a little nervous about standing directly underneath the piece, cause if it fell....ouch! I couldn't help but get drawn in to look closer. There were pieces hanging with swirls of green, another with fiery orange-red, still another a massive white sculpture reminiscent of an ice cave. It was the blue piece that caught my eye. It hung regally from the ceiling, twirls of glass all twining together to create a frosty lovely design. I sank into the feeling of observing these displays, allowing the feel of each room, each piece sink into me. We entered one final room, a room filled with towering blown glass bowls. Feeling much like Alice in Wonderland I stood below each bowl and snapped some photos. This final room seemed to be a catch all of all who had wandered into the building. It was filled with many others all eager to capture their images and study the beauty of the designs. For me though, the need to move away from the tight space and large numbers caused me to move forward, I was ready to leave the exhibit.

Sad to leave the wonder of the exhibit but ready to get away from the large amounts of people I pushed out through the exit doors...and stepped into a large solarium. The large space boasted more glass, suspended from the ceiling in an amazing flowering display. I looked up and noticed I could see the Space Needle from where I stood. It was so cool. Eventually, mom joined me and we ventured outside. Here was the garden with glass all woven into the individual spaces.


I loved seeing the black glass appearing to slide its way through black grass-like plants. Smooth purple and blue columns stood among green and blue flowering plants. Near the base of the space needle stood a large towering piece of red trumpet-like glass pieces looking much like a flower. I almost expected to see an oversize hummingbird come flying up to sip out of the red flowers. It was wonderful though. I continued to wander through the garden. The farther I moved into the garden, the fewer people I spied. I walked until I could go no further. Up against the back of the building the final corner of the garden boasted a quiet piece, a lovely tower of purple blocks of glass. This piece shot up from a plant which had purple flowers, much the same shade as the glass. It certainly wasn't an accident of design, I knew but loved the beauty of the matching colors of art to nature.

Seeing the Chihuly Garden and Glass was a beautiful experience that is unlike anything I'd ever seen. Something about these pieces drew me and left me in wonder at the emotions some of the pieces pulled from me. If I ever find myself in Seattle again (and I probably will), this is one place I'm sure you'll see me wandering through again, maybe a little slower this time, less in a hurry to see what is around the next corner. Instead I'll go and enjoy the experience truly, fully, and be completely present in the moment.