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The practice of glassblowing has endured and blossomed, in
great part due to pioneers like Chihuly who care deeply enough
about it to share the craftsmanship with other artisans as mentors
and expert craftspeople. By tapping into the tradition of master and
apprentice, the glass sculptor and others have managed to bring
glassblowing to a whole new generation of cutting-edge artists and
art lovers. But it is undoubtedly Chihuly whose unique expertise
brought blown glass to the forefront of modern-day art.

Glass in Meaningful Places

Today, people can view Chihuly glass in hundreds of venues.
The artist maintains several studios and dozens of staff members to
help realize his vision.
Likely the most recognizable and visited Chihuly installation is
the Fiori di Como exhibit at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino, which has
been on display at this popular Las Vegas resort since its opening in
1998. Chihuly was commissioned by owner Steve Wynn to create
the piece, comprised of more than 2,000 individual flower-shaped
glass sculptures, for the ceiling of the lobby. Fiori di Como reportedly
cost $10 million to create, but has paid for itself many times over, as
it is a must-see attraction for the thousands of visitors who stroll
daily through the hotel’s lobby to view the spectacular display. The
best way to fully take in the ceiling’s artwork (if you’re feeling bold):
Lie down on the floor and simply gaze up at the 2,100-square-foot
masterpiece.

Dale Chihuly
Mille Fiori (detail), 2010
10½ x 33½ x 10½'
Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg, Florida
Photo by Scott M. Leen ©2017 Chihuly Studio.

The Ikebana and Float Boats is another iconic installation for
Chihuly. “I’ve always loved the water. I was raised in Tacoma,
Washington, and we would always beachcomb and find these
Japanese fishing floats,” he shared in an interview with Gerry Ward,
curator of American and Decorative Arts and Sculpture Emeritus at
the Museum of Fine Art in Boston, Massachusetts. The shapes are
Dale Chihuly
inspired by the Japanese fishing floats Chihuly found on the shore as
Ruby Red Icicle Chandelier, 2010
a child, and the boat is a Finnish rowboat from which he would 8 x 5 x 5'
retrieve the floats from the water. Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg, Florida
Photo by Scott M. Leen ©2017 Chihuly Studio.

16 • LIVING LUXE MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2019