Chihuly Toledo! An Unbreakable Relationship
Toledo, Ohio—Relationships. While some come and go over the years, others remain as strong as… glass (well, at least tempered glass). Case in point: the September opening of Chihuly Toledo! at the Toledo Museum of Art (TMA).
From September 17 – November 29, TMA's Glass Pavilion will be vibrant with color, shimmer and style with the works of prominent glass artist Dale Chihuly. Chihuly, probably best-known locally for Campilello del Remier #2, the 9-foot chandelier that graces the Monroe Street entrance to the Glass Pavilion, is a favorite of Toledoans and TMA visitors alike. Rarely seen works from the TMA's extensive Chihuly collection, as well as art loaned from private
collectors, will be on display. Not since 1993 has the museum's entire Chihuly collection been seen at once. But it's more than just the art – the sketches and drawings that inspired the work will be a part of the exhibit as well.
The foundation of the exhibition is grounded in the studio glass movement, born nearly half-a-century ago when three pioneering artists set up a glass workshop in a garage on the grounds of the Toledo Museum of Art, honing their art and teaching it to others. Eight years later, in 1970, Dale Chihuly was invited to showcase his creations in a study of contemporary art glass;
the Seattle native's contributions have been a part of Toledo's glass tradition ever since. The mutual appreciation between the glass artist and the Glass City continues to prosper today.
It's the approach Chihuly takes to his work that makes it even more remarkable. An accident in 1976 impaired his vision, leaving him unable to blow glass himself. Instead of letting that end a gifted career, he took on a new role – as choreographer and director – working closely with a team of artists. The trade-off, as he has often said, is "a capacity to realize grander
proportions than a single artist could achieve." Chihuly Toledo! will mirror that philosophy; the exhibit will be immersive, with guests feeling as though they are a part of the action rather than just viewing it from afar.
"Dale Chihuly's work speaks for itself. It's vibrant, alive with color, light, depth and perspective," said Jutta Page, TMA curator of glass. "Just as no two pieces of art are identical, no two people view art in the same way. What's special about Chihuly Toledo! is that our visitors, from avid collectors to the first-time visitors, will experience, share, appreciate and be fulfilled by a unique form of art that has its roots right here in Toledo."
Drawn from the Museum's permanent collection, the 60 plus glass objects, sets and drawings document the evolution of Chihuly's career since 1975. TMA owns a few significant Blanket Cylinders from the mid-1970s, inspired by Native American Indian blankets. The following decade is represented by several stacked Seaforms, Macchia and Persians; the 1990's feature splendid floral Venetians, a Prussian Blue and Oxblood Persian Pair and a set of Niijima
Floats, some of the largest glass pieces ever blown by hand (gifts of TMA's Apollo Society in 1993). As a collection, the works in the exhibition show Chihuly's passion for bright color, his interest in incorporating line and drawing on the blown form and his ongoing fascination with multiple-part works of art.
This exhibition is the first of the many events leading up to the Toledo Museum of Art's celebration of the 50th anniversary of the studio glass movement in 2012.
ADMISSION & DATES
Chihuly Toledo! is free to the public and on view during Museum hours from September 18 – November 29, 2009.
EXHIBITION CELEBRATION
Literati
A party for lovers of art and literature
Friday, October 9, 7–9 p.m.
Location: former glass gallery
Free for members, $15 non-members
Dress as your favorite character!
PUBLIC TOURS
Join a Museum Docent for a closer look at the Museum's celebration of Chihuly Toledo! Tours are free to the public, and all ages are welcome. Meet in the Glass Pavilion a few minutes prior to tour time. To schedule a private tour for 10 or more guests, contact the tour scheduler at 419-254-5772.
Friday, September 18, 7 P.M.
Saturday, September 19, 2 P.M.
Sunday, September 20, 2:30 & 3:30 P.M.
Friday, November 6, 7 P.M.
Saturday, November 7, 2 P.M.
Sunday, November 8, 2:30 & 3:30 P.M.
Friday, November 27, 7 P.M.
Saturday, November 28, 2 P.M.
Sunday, November 29, 2:30 & 3:30 P.M.
Friday, December 11, 7 P.M.
Saturday, December 12, 2 P.M.
Sunday, December 13, 2:30 & 3:30 P.M.
PUBLIC PROGRAMS (admission is free, unless otherwise noted)
Friday, September 18
Hands-on Activity: Chihuly Chandelier
7–9 P.M., GlasSalon
Trash becomes treasure as Campiello del Remer, Chandelier #2 is recreated using recycled water bottles.
Friday, November 27
Hands-on Activity: The Color of Chihuly
7–9 P.M., GlasSalon
Create your own Chihuly inspired work of art using splashes of color and a variety of forms.
FAMILY CENTER ACTIVITIES
Free, fun, and open to everyone! The TMA Family Center is the perfect place for our youngest Museum visitors to make and take memories of Chihuly Toledo! with their parents and caregivers. The Family Center is open Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10 A.M.–3 P.M. and Sundays, NOON–5:30 P.M.
Sunday, Sept. 13
Tuesday, September 15
Thursday, September 17
Create Chihuly-Inspired Art
Make your own Chihuly-style chandelier
Press Release Contact Name: Lynnette Werning
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Press Release Contact Phone: 419-386-5810
Organization Name: Blue Water Communications LLC
Organization Address: Toledo