Marking an exuberant return to the Sonoran Desert, Dale Chihuly presents a stunning, site-specific exhibition at two iconic Arizona venues.
A detail of Dale Chihuly’s “Sol del Citrón” piece, as seen at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, Fla. PHOTO BY SCOTT MITCHELL LEEN; DALE CHIHULY, “SOL DEL CITRÓN” (DETAIL) (2014), 15 FEET BY 14.5 FEET BY 14 FEET, FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CORAL GABLES, FLA., © 2021 CHIHULY STUDIO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
While witnessing Dale Chihuly’s sculptural works in a museum is quite an experience, seeing the larger-than-life colorful glass pieces in situ takes things to greater heights. The artist’s work is on display at not one but two local landmarks: Desert Botanical Garden and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West. “What I love most about placing my art in outdoor environments is the opportunity to work in such a wide variety of settings,” Chihuly says. “The sites in Arizona are no exception. I was inspired by the juxtaposition of the desert landscape and the variety of colors and forms I use in my work.” At Desert Botanical Garden—where Chihuly has exhibited before—his new site-inspired creations will be among the venue’s trails and plants, while at Taliesin West, they will live both indoors and outside. “I feel a sense of great pride in placing my work within Taliesin West as I consider Frank Lloyd Wright one of my architectural heroes,” Chihuly explains. “I always hope people will find beauty not just in my work, but also in the way my work speaks to these unique environments.” Dec. 3-June 19, 2022, chihulyinthedesert.org
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