The lobby of the Bellagio casino in Las Vegas makes guests feel they are swimming under psychedelic jellyfish. That is because the ceiling has been Chihulyed.
Dale Chihuly is a master of large-scale glass sculpture. He does things with glass that seem to defy the laws
of chemistry, tweaking the molten form to produce ruffles and slender twists, all tweaked in subtle colors that have been stolen from Monet’s palette. Facing a Chihuly piece is an exquisite experience. Even non-stoners become mesmerized.
And soon, everyone in San Antonio will have the chance to receive a Chihuly experience, thanks to the multiple exhibitions of the artist’s work. The city’s beautification by glass begins at the Southwest School of Art & Craft on Sunday, May 31 with the “Seaforms” exhibit, a collection of 24 pieces and six drawings by the master artist. You can score more Chihuly on Saturday, June 7 when the San Antonio Museum of Art will open its “Fire and Ice: Dale Chihuly, Installation SA” exhibit. And if you want to try a serious dose, the San Antonio’s Central Public Library will unveil a 20-foot color-freaked glass sculpture by Chihuly on Sunday, June 8. The piece, San Antonio Public Library Fiesta Tower, was commissioned to commemorate the public library’s 100th birthday celebration. And what better way to celebrate than to dabble in a little Chihuly? •
This article appears in May 28 – Jun 3, 2003.