Dale Chihuly at the MFA Boston

by Arthur of Arthur Halvorsen Ceramics

The other day I had a few minutes to quickly check out the Dale Chihuly exhibit at the MFA titled "Through the Looking Glass" I have to say that I wasn't expecting much as prepped myself to go into the show, but WOW was I wrong! I had always seen his work either in photos in books or online and I didn't think I was going to like the work in person, but I loved it!

This was the first installation as you walked in. Chihuly has done a number of great things not only for the world of glass, but also the craft world in general. He started the Pilchuck Glass School in Washington State, where it is world renowned as a top glass school. They offer summer classes and a number of different residency options. I would love to go to see some day and try my had at glass blowing.

This was my favorite installation in the show, combining the purple glass rods coming out of the logs that looked as though they had been clear cut and awaiting to go to the mill to be made into 2x4's and to me the glass represented the trees spirit taking on another form and leaving behind the lumber.

Another really cool interior (I know its an installation too, but this was the room above your head) was the "Persian Ceiling" so much fun to walk underneath and it caught me off guard by me discovering little surprises hidden under the glass forms like a star fish, octopus and other random forms under the bigger forms. Seeing this show has me thinking of someday doing a large scale installation of my own work and making environments for my work to live in.

If you're in the Boston area you should totally see this show when you get the chance! I want to go back and spend a longer time imaging what if for me and my own work when I go back!