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Dale Chihuly | |||
| Born
1941 in Tacoma, WA Lives and works in Seattle, WA |
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| Campiello del Remer, Ireland, 1996 | ||||
| blown,
clear cut crystal 144 x 65 x 60 inches Gift of Dale Chihuly 1996.32 |
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enlarge image |
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| Dale Chihuly’s crystal
“chandelier” is unusual because it represents the first time
that an outside artist was allowed into Ireland’s Waterford Crystal
factory to work with the factory artisans dedicated to making the beautiful
cut crystal goblets, bowls, and other crystal items for which Waterford
is famous. With this “chandelier,” as Chihuly calls his sculptures
of this type, the artist encouraged the Waterford artisans to experiment
with different cuts to create beautiful abstract designs on each individual
piece of crystal in this sculpture. Each individual piece was also blown,
by hand and mouth, in the factory. The “chandelier” is hung
from the ceiling above the Museum’s West doors. Every piece of cut crystal that makes up this sculpture has a nodule on the top around which airplane cable is wrapped and then attached to a central chain, thus creating the layers of crystal pieces that comprise the entire sculptural “chandelier.” This “chandelier” weighs over 1,800 pounds. This single piece of crystal is one of the many pieces that comprise the large “chandelier” that hangs from the ceiling. The cuts you feel along the side of the piece were made by the Waterford factory artisans and are similar to the kind they make on goblets and bowls. The cuts decorate the crystal, make each piece different from one another, and make each piece reflect light. Chihuly has exhibited his work in public spaces such as in the cities of Venice and Jerusalem, and in museums all over the world. |