Today we're continuing our tour of the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, which currently is featuring the blown glass artistry of Dale Chihuly alongside the works of Mother Nature.
The cacti range widely in size, from the small plant with its tiny blossoms, above, to the gigantic specimens dwarfing onlookers, below.
And the glass objects mirror the natural growths.
There is more to see but, as Scarlett Ohara famously said, "tomorrow is another day."
I have a friend in Maricopa who had all her light fixtures replaced with Chihuly ones. The ones over the huge kitchen island were magnificent. I never appreciated glass until I moved to the SW. In Michigan, there isn't enough light to properly display it.
ReplyDeleteThe glass pieces really suit that location! I wonder how many get broken during there stay outside in the elements.
ReplyDeleteI think the pieces are pretty strong but you never know.
DeleteIt is so interesting to see the cactus and then the glass art formations there. I love this little journey you and your loved ones took.
ReplyDeleteIt was a great visit to a great outdoor museum.
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ReplyDeleteThose are beautiful cactuses (cacti?) and I love Chihuly too. He's a local guy. :)
ReplyDeleteYup. We toured his place in Tacoma(?) some years ago and watched some of his proteges blowing glass.
DeleteYes, Tacoma. The Glass Museum. I enjoyed my last visit there and need to go back since it's only about 15 minutes from my house.
DeleteThe glass objects complement the cacti quite well. Though I can't help but worry about vandalism from a random ne'er-do-well.
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone would damage the pieces intentionally. But even though there are signs throughout the park cautioning people to stay on the walkways and not to touch the art, some morons still feel the need to reach out and touch.
DeleteIsn't it remarkable how an artist from the PNW, Seattle, the rainy place, can do art that so fits in with a desert environment? I love his stuff. actually have one of his smaller pieces, from the mid 80's. Nice post, Bruce.
ReplyDeleteLucky you, Mike. Yes, his use of color is stunning. Thanks!
DeleteThat cactus in picture 8 is amazing. I really love all the glass art. We have a cactus garden in our Botanical Gardens, I should go there again one day with my camera.
ReplyDeleteI think that one was my favorite.
DeleteGreat pictures! I'm so used to seeing the Desert Botanical Garden on Sharon's blog (Phoenix Daily Photo) that it throws me a little bit to see it on yours! Did you cross paths? LOL
ReplyDeleteHa! I don't think so.
DeleteWow, Catalyst! I am so jealous! The cacti are amazing. So is the glass. Is that a permanent display?
ReplyDeleteNo, it's a show only for a couple of months, I believe.
DeleteThey really are beautiful. I hope you got to see the indoor exhibit too while you were there.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately we didn't. I'm not sure my gals were aware of it and I wasn't.
DeleteI would very much enjoy visiting this.
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm going to have to plan to go there especially while that exhibit is there! What cool glass objects intermixed with the plants!
ReplyDeletebetty