Big Surprise: the Dale Chihuly exhibit at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids is so popular that the wise folks at the Gardens have decided to extend the run until the end of October.
It is really worth going to see. When I first heard that the 15th anniversary of the Gardens was going to be celebrated with the Chihuly exhibit, I rolled my eyes a bit and thought, “Oh my, sounds commercial. Is this really art?”
Well, I’d decided that isn’t the issue. The issue is enjoying a beautiful space and the creativity and pleasing visual vistas. So, I blogged, “Chihuly Exhibit in Grand Rapids is well worth a visit” and have actually gone back several times. And yes, I think it is art.
I’ve found it all to be a very pleasant experience. On a visit recently during the daytime I realized how much the changing environment impacts how the pieces are perceived. For example, the ice blue chunks the swampland area didn’t appeal to me as much as they did the first time. I liked them better when they reflected in the clear water, not surrounded by algae.
Instead I fell in love with a big blue bowl with little bowls in side. I think it had to do with the light coming in the window of the conservatory making it possible to see the ferns underneath.
I also had a late day experience that unfortunately I couldn’t capture very well on my camera. I attended a concert at the Gardens and while we were waiting for the Celtic Fiddler to begin enchanting us all, the tips of the red cylinder glass pieces that march up a hill in clear view of our seats began to glow.
The setting sun caused the flaming red glass spikes to look like birthday candles. Wow. I’d go back just to see that again and maybe get a camera with a longer lens or take a photographer friend along to consult on how to capture. It was spectacular.
Too bad our energetic fiddler and Irish step dancer didn’t see it. Would have been a wonderful opportunity to fiddle and sing a Celebratory Happy Birthday to the Gardens during its special year. It was a magical moment.
Comments
1 CommentPeggy DePersia
Aug 29, 2010Wow, the red rods do look inflammatory! I imagine the sight was spectacular. How fun to be there and make those connections.
Interesting that you commented on the ‘blue chunks’ in the swampland. My thought on seeing them the first time was that I need to get back and see them with a backdrop of changing colors from the trees. The scale of most of the installations really captures one’s attention.