Mike and I have been keeping pretty busy while in Tucson. One of the things we did last week was visit the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. Our daughter, Amy, went there earlier this year to see the special exhibit, Chihuly in the Desert. Dale Chihuly is a famous glass artist who does AMAZING things with glass. It was fabulous seeing the art amidst the desert landscape. As a bonus, there were lots of plants blooming, cacti included, and we got to see a butterfly exhibit, too.
I took lots of pics. LOL. I’ll keep this post focused on the Chihuly art. Other interestingness will be shared in a future post.
The place was crazy-busy. I think this is prime season for the facility since so many of the plants and trees were blooming.
Boat full of glass.
Same boat full of glass from a slightly different angle.
These columns of green glass are actually standing outside of the entrance to the gardens.
I didn’t take notes, so I can’t share the proper names for each piece.
This one reminds me of hot peppers.
I tried hard to get shots without people in the background. Those yellow trees were in bloom all over the desert around Phoenix last week.
Here’s another shot of the hot pepper glass with a less-busy background. I think it was about 15 feet tall (~5 meters).
Blue spears amid cacti.
I really like the colors in this one. It could be desert colors or ocean colors.
Colorful spears of glass near what I think might be Organ Pipe cacti (tall plant on left with multiple stalks).
A closer look at the colorful spears of glass.
This big ball of squiggly green glass was about 9 feet across (~3 meters).
Here’s a shot of the same piece with a different background . See the blooming Ocotillo plant beside it? They are in bloom in many places around Phoenix and Tucson.
A real close-up look.
Red spears stacked sorta like tipis.
Purple spears.
This one isn’t as colorful as many other pieces, but I still like it. It wasn’t one of Mike’s favorites.
They also had a number of pieces on display indoors. I didn’t photograph every piece, but I think I got a few good shots.
Blues, purples, and greens are one of my favorite color combinations.
Flattened jellyfish?
Close-up scramble.
Orange stuff.
Two smaller pieces.
Another smaller piece (about 2 feet tall (2/3 meter).
More orange/yellow stuff.
Red tubulas.
I hope you enjoyed the pics. If you are ever in Phoenix, the Desert Botanical Garden is a lovely place to visit. The Chihuly exhibit will only be there through mid-June, I think. I really do feel like Spring is probably the best time to visit if you want to see lots of blooms, but I bet it is beautiful in its own way any time of year.
One thing for sure, you will see an amazing variety of cacti no matter when you visit. 🙂
4 Replies to “Chihuly Art in the Desert”
I love Chihuly Art…they had an outdoor exhibit in Richmond and I didn’t make it down to see it, I won’t let that opportunity pass me up again.
Definitely do not. It was pretty to see.
Beautiful photos! I love Chihuly, and have been to an exhibit at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, both daylight and nighttime, and a mini exhibit near Tacoma. Haven’t been to his home exhibit in Seattle though. His work really looks great in a desert setting!
Lynne, we noticed lights on and around some of the pieces and remarked that it would probably be pretty at night. I did not know he has a home exhibit in Seattle. Something to remember for the future when we are on the move again.
I love Chihuly Art…they had an outdoor exhibit in Richmond and I didn’t make it down to see it, I won’t let that opportunity pass me up again.
Definitely do not. It was pretty to see.
Beautiful photos! I love Chihuly, and have been to an exhibit at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, both daylight and nighttime, and a mini exhibit near Tacoma. Haven’t been to his home exhibit in Seattle though. His work really looks great in a desert setting!
Lynne, we noticed lights on and around some of the pieces and remarked that it would probably be pretty at night. I did not know he has a home exhibit in Seattle. Something to remember for the future when we are on the move again.