Chihuly at the de Young Museum in San Francisco

dadwtwinsdadwtwins Registered Users Posts: 804 Major grins
edited December 18, 2008 in Journeys
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Yesterday April managed to drag me to the de Young to view the glass works of <a href="http://www.chihuly.com/biblio/artist.html">Dale Chihuly</a>. I was less than enthused to go see glass works that I have seen throughout the web. The pictures I saw were not very thrilling so I was unable to fully comprehend the mass excitement that has buzzed about this exhibit. But, I did go for two other reasons. The first reason was the chance to hang out with my bud April and the second was of course to get out and take pictures. Those two reason alone would motivate me to get out of the house no matter what the photo subject was.

Once we arrived to the Museum, and we were early, the line had already formed into 50 people deep. Let me also mention that there were two separate entrances and both had long lines accumulating. So if you know me just a little, will know that I was already feeling grumpy. I dislike lines and I really dislike crowds. I always feel a slightly claustrophobic when I am in the midst of a crowd especially when they are all trying to get to the same place I am trying to go. I am guessing I would not fair well in places like Japan's subway :-) .

Once we past the entrance, our camera bags were checked for who knows what and it was explained rather bluntly that we could not carry our bags on our shoulders but rather we had to carry them below our waist. Another sign that we are about to go into a very crowded place and all the reason to further validate my grumpiness. Instead of trying to carry our backpacks, we checked them in and just took out what we thought we needed. As lazy as I am, I only grabbed my camera body and a wide angle lens. April was a little more motivated to prepare for the unknown by bringing three lenses stuffing two of them in her pants pockets.

After we were filed orderly in a single line into the exhibit, I fully understood what the hoopla was all about. I also understood why the pictures were less than impressive than what was now right in front of me. If you have never seen Chihuly's work in person, you have never seen Chihuly's work because pictures could never do it proper justice. The glass art was incredibly beautiful with absolutely stunning colors, textures and patterns. I was humbled and reminded not to judge ones art until I see it in person. Chihuly's glass works were truly a sight that must be seen.

The following pictures was a humble attempt to show how I viewed Chihuly's work and an attempt to share it with those that are unable to see his art in person. I realize this is an ironic deed since I just said no one could properly show Chihuly's work through pictures but I had to try ;-)

The first exhibit we were introduced to was named the Glass Forest. The tubes were at least 8 feet tall and this room was around 30 feet wide. The display was put on a highly reflective black surface to give the display a tremendous amount of depth. It was very cool to witness and I felt all my former grumpiness shed away to be replaced with amazement and awe.
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I call it "cat in the reeds" but this exhibit was simply named "Reeds". I used a couple of the lights that lit up the exhibit in my composition since they reminded me of a cat hiding in the reeds waiting for its prey.
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This is just one of the outlandish chandeliers that were hung in the exhibit. There were at least a dozen or more of these huge chandeliers ranging from 4ft x 4ft as seen below to ones that were 6ft x 10ft.
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In the exhibit named black, one wall is covered with tiles of different patterns. I am not sure what materials were used to make these tiles but it looked like non-opaque colored glass dripped onto a metal sheet.
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This bowl piece is an example of what was displayed in the Black exhibit
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These bowls were huge. Probably a good 2 feet across the top lips. They were part of the exhibit named Macchia Forest
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In the Tabac Exhibit was a mixture of glass works with woven baskets.
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I thought it looked like a purple star with stars in the background (display lights). The following pieces were part of the Ikebana and Venetian Exhibit.
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This wall display covered an entire wall and was part of the Persian Exhibit
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April using her Fish-eye lens to capture the Persian wall display.
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At the end of the Exhibit, we walked through a room where the ceiling had a collage of pieces called sea shells laying on top of clear glass ceiling panels. Quite a site.
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Part of the Persian ceiling reflecting onto one of the side walls.
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April captured me taking the above shot. She is so sneaky.
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While I was trying to cool off with my ice tea after exiting the museum, I snapped a quick photo of April. Thank you April for a great day and putting up with me. Once again, you have shown me that even I can enjoy a crowded event if the subject matter is special :-)
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I hope everyone felt a little taste of Chihuly's work. If you ever have a chance to witness his art in person, please make the effort. I promise you, you will not be disappointed.

I am going to leave you now with a couple pictures that April took of me in the Botanical Gardens in Golden Gate Park. :D
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Comments

  • Ann McRaeAnn McRae Registered Users Posts: 4,584 Major grins
    edited September 1, 2008
    Superb! Beautiful photos, and your shot of April is lovely. She is the smiley-est gal around, isn't she?

    ann
  • dadwtwinsdadwtwins Registered Users Posts: 804 Major grins
    edited September 1, 2008
    Ann McRae wrote:
    Superb! Beautiful photos, and your shot of April is lovely. She is the smiley-est gal around, isn't she?

    ann

    There isn't a more friendly, compassionate, thoughtful or giving person then April. Plus she is dang fun to hang with.

    Her is a pic of April in IR. She might not want me to display this one:yikes.
    363497248_nd73D-L.jpg
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  • SamSam Registered Users Posts: 7,419 Major grins
    edited September 4, 2008
    Great set of images. I think you have captured the color, and pop of the glass.

    However the shot that I like the most, and I think really captures the essence of your subject is the one of April. (The colored one)

    This is April.

    Sam
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited September 4, 2008
    dadwtwins wrote:
    There isn't a more friendly, compassionate, thoughtful or giving person then April. P

    You forgot to add, that she's also an amazing baker :food

    I iloveyou.gif April clap.gifclap.gifclap.gif

    363497736_wKXt5-Th.jpg
  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited September 4, 2008
    Andy wrote:
    she's also an amazing baker :food


    mwink.gifeat

    Great images
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

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  • dadwtwinsdadwtwins Registered Users Posts: 804 Major grins
    edited September 5, 2008
    Sam wrote:
    Great set of images. I think you have captured the color, and pop of the glass.

    However the shot that I like the most, and I think really captures the essence of your subject is the one of April. (The colored one)

    This is April.

    Sam

    It is my fav shot of that day. iloveyou.gifclap
    Andy wrote:
    You forgot to add, that she's also an amazing baker :food

    I iloveyou.gif April clap.gifclap.gifclap.gif

    363497736_wKXt5-Th.jpg

    If she keeps giving my family those incredible baked goods, pretty soon my family will all get as big as me rolleyes1.gif

    photo courtesy of Aprilbowdown.gif
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  • tisuntisun Registered Users Posts: 435 Major grins
    edited September 5, 2008
    Dan,

    Great shots! They look as good as the real things. Now, I want to go see the exhibit. I don't like crowd either. Is there a best time to go during the weekend?
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,938 moderator
    edited September 5, 2008
    It's Dale, not Dave :D

    I've seen a number of his works and am always amazed by the creative nature of the work. There's a series on PBS that shows some of the places he's gone and work he's put out on display in other parts of the world. Very cool and it's one that was, I think, filmed in HD.

    Thanks for the tour!
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • dadwtwinsdadwtwins Registered Users Posts: 804 Major grins
    edited September 6, 2008
    ian408 wrote:
    It's Dale, not Dave :D

    I've seen a number of his works and am always amazed by the creative nature of the work. There's a series on PBS that shows some of the places he's gone and work he's put out on display in other parts of the world. Very cool and it's one that was, I think, filmed in HD.

    Thanks for the tour!

    And I do not even have the excuse that the "v" and "l" keys are side by siderolleyes1.gif
    tisun wrote:
    Dan,

    Great shots! They look as good as the real things. Now, I want to go see the exhibit. I don't like crowd either. Is there a best time to go during the weekend?

    Thank you for the complimentbowdown.gif. I am sorry that I have no knowledge of the crowds on weekdays. I am assuming since schools are back in session that the crowds would be minimal on weekdays. Luckily for me April got tickets for the first wave of visitors on Sunday. By the time we exited the museum the crowds were simply out of hand.
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  • averylovenaveryloven Registered Users Posts: 1 Beginner grinner
    edited October 24, 2008
    Chihuly Art
    Just caught wind of a glass art auction from Chihuly’s school, pilchuck, going on in seattle - Oct 30th, 10 pm E/9pm C
    They said it will be broadcast live via auctionnetwork.com, along with a tool that lets Internet viewers to bid remotely against the floor. -- nice for me, cause I’m out of state!
    Auction Catalog here: http://www.auctionnetwork.com/UpcomingCatalog.asp?ShowId=281
  • dadwtwinsdadwtwins Registered Users Posts: 804 Major grins
    edited October 29, 2008
    averyloven wrote:
    Just caught wind of a glass art auction from Chihuly’s school, pilchuck, going on in seattle - Oct 30th, 10 pm E/9pm C
    They said it will be broadcast live via auctionnetwork.com, along with a tool that lets Internet viewers to bid remotely against the floor. -- nice for me, cause I’m out of state!
    Auction Catalog here: http://www.auctionnetwork.com/UpcomingCatalog.asp?ShowId=281

    this is cool, thanks for the info.wings.gif
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  • quinndayquinnday Registered Users Posts: 1 Beginner grinner
    edited December 16, 2008
    dadwtwins wrote:
    And I do not even have the excuse that the "v" and "l" keys are side by siderolleyes1.gif



    Thank you for the complimentbowdown.gif. I am sorry that I have no knowledge of the crowds on weekdays. I am assuming since schools are back in session that the crowds would be minimal on weekdays. Luckily for me April got tickets for the first wave of visitors on Sunday. By the time we exited the museum the crowds were simply out of hand.
    Living in San Francisco California I know this was a big to do! The crowds were insane but what a good time it was. Does anyone know when it will be on again?
    Happy Holidays!
    wings.gif
  • AngeloAngelo Super Moderators Posts: 8,937 moderator
    edited December 17, 2008
    I had the pleasure of seeing his work at the Oklahoma City Museum in 2006.

    I have 4 shots in this gallery:

    http://angelo.smugmug.com/gallery/4060734_wkWVi#438565244_AXuYa
  • grimacegrimace Registered Users Posts: 1,537 Major grins
    edited December 18, 2008
    Andy wrote:
    You forgot to add, that she's also an amazing baker :food

    I'll testify!!
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