The weather in Colorado this fall has been just amazing. Warm and golden, and just what an autumn should be. I knew it wouldn't last forever, and I decided I'd better get to Denver to visit my family before the weather decided to turn into winter. So last weekend I planned a three day weekend, and drove down to Denver on Friday morning. My mom suggested we go to the Denver Botanic Gardens for the afternoon on Friday. I hadn't been there for many many years. Living 170 miles away, I don't pay too much attention to what is going on in the big city, so I had no idea of what to expect, even though my mom had told me there was an art exhibit. When we got there and paid our entry fees, I received a map of the gardens on a brochure with one word on the front - CHIHULY. Little did I know what kind of treat I was in for!
We were greeted at the entrance with this fabulous glass sculpture...
A hawk flew up and landed on a light fixture just then with a mouse in his beak, and had a little snack. Then, as we all oohed and ahhed and snapped photos with phones and cameras, he turned this way and that, posing for the crowd.
It just got better from there. Meet me below the orange glass-like swirly and I'll show you some more.
After I spent a few hours wandering around parts of the Botanic Gardens with my mom and seeing this man's spectacular work, I went back to her house and did some research on Dale Chihuly, the artist. From his website:
Born in 1941 in Tacoma, Washington, Dale Chihuly was introduced to glass while studying interior design at the University of Washington. After graduating in 1965, Chihuly enrolled in the first glass program in the country, at the University of Wisconsin. He continued his studies at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he later established the glass program and taught for more than a decade.
In 1968, after receiving a Fulbright Fellowship, he went to work at the Venini glass factory in Venice. There he observed the team approach to blowing glass, which is critical to the way he works today. In 1971, Chihuly cofounded Pilchuck Glass School in Washington State. With this international glass center, Chihuly has led the avant-garde in the development of glass as a fine art.
I took so many photos it's hard to choose which ones I like best, but here's some highlights.
After the huge blue sculpture at the entrance, these emulated the cactus they were placed among.
"Summer Sun", close up.
"Summer Sun" from across the green - this gives you an idea of the size of this piece!
I call this "Cranes" - I don't know the actual sculpture name, but I love the way these reflect on the water.
These orange globes were in the rose garden - the roses were beautiful!
I went back with my sister on Sunday before I headed home, and these were part of the Greenhouse complex display. We loved this display. My sister said they reminded her of Dr. Seuss.
Purple, for Jessica.
I took so many photos that I just can't put them all in this diary, so I've chosen some of my favorites. Of course, photos just can't do this exhibit justice, but if you're anywhere near Denver, you must see this exhibit! It unfortunately ends here on November 30. If you are near Denver, or anywhere else there happens to be an exhibit in the future, I urge you to get there as fast as you can! And while you're at it, try to get into the evening exhibits, because they are lighted at night. The Denver exhibit is sold out in the evenings but I got a glimpse of the beauty of evening lighting right before we left for the day on Friday.
I hope you enjoyed these photos. It was well worth the entrance fee twice, even though I felt I still didn't see it all. The Denver Botanic Gardens is a spectacular place even without the art. I wonder if I could talk Mr. Light into buzzing down one day next weekend or the day after Thanksgiving for one last look at all the spectacular art...
And this Thursday, it started to snow and the weather is definitely winter now. I'd say my timing was perfect, although I'd love to see the glass in the snow!