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March 29, 2024

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Friday, January 28, 2022

Open Thread – Color and Light

I spent last weekend in Seattle for reasons not political. It was sort of a shock to the system. Thanks to the awesome Jim Wright, Carl Johnson, and Linda Kellen Biegel for providing top-notch content while I was away. It allowed me to take a little mental hiatus from the usual things that churn around in my grey matter.

Since most of my trip ended up being somewhat of a visual feast, I thought I’d share some of my pictures with you as I settle back in and catch up on the political front. So, the next few open threads will be from Seattle, our neighbor city to the south. I like to think if Alaska and San Francisco had a child, it would be something like Seattle.

Today’s post will be on the new museum devoted to the glass art of Dale Chihuly – The Seattle Center Garden and Glass Museum. It was absolutely breathtaking. I expected to like it, but I had no idea how spectacular it would be. The first piece was called Glass Forest.

I had fun with this one. I had my camera, of course, and thought it would be interesting to set a very slow shutter speed, and then trace the shape of one of the natural lines of the sculpture that was out of the field of the camera, but that I could see out of the corner of my eye. This is what came out.

And then this:

Next was glass inspired by Native American baskets.

A whole room was dedicated to art inspired by sea life.

This sculpture stood about 12 feet tall, I think. It was filled with all sorts of critters.

There were rays, and star fish, and even a nautilus – one of my favorites.

And another favorite, the octopus, was represented in a very different style.

And then (if I HAD to choose) my favorite exhibit – The Persian Ceiling. The vaults of the ceiling were filled with all manner of blown glass plates, bowls, spheres, and even 10 angels which the kids had a great time trying to find.

Even the light on the walls was a work of art.

No matter where you pointed the camera, it was like taking a picture of an amazing kaleidoscope, frozen in time.

It was literally awesome.

And I just kept clicking…

…and clicking.

You get the idea.

An angel!

By the time I left, my neck was sore and all ten angels had been found. There is so much more to show you, but I’ll be kind to your retinas, and continue the tour of the museum in the next open thread.

Comments

comments

Comments
17 Responses to “Open Thread – Color and Light”
  1. AKblue says:

    What a way to end an amazing week: bipartisan Backbone is trying to save the bipartisan Senate coalition, Don Young is endorsing a Democrat, Begich voted to let the tax cuts expire, and now some awesome photos of the Chihuly exhibit!

  2. bb says:

    I had the pleasure of viewing his work in San Antonio. I’d love to have a piece but….

  3. beth. says:

    AKM – stunning photos! Simply stunning.

    I watched an excellent PBS show on Dale Chihuly a while back and it had about 10 minutes on the artistry of the Italian fellow who formed those angels for one of DCs installations — a stretch and curl here, a pull and twist there, and voila! A perfect, pudgy little angel. Incredible.

    There are a whole bunch of YouTubes on Chihuly blowing glass and on his fantabulous creations, but I can’t find the program (or even snips of it) I saw on my local PBS — I’ve seen it, actually, 3 or 4 times, but I’ll be darned if I can remember the show’s title! (I do remember the music was/is annoyingly repetitive, overpowering, and thumpingly relentless, though…)

    Glad you had a good break from the crazy, and am SO glad you’re sharing the photos of your R&R. They’re real smile makers. beth.

    • Zyxomma says:

      I think the program you’re referring to is Chihuly in the Hotshop. I know PBS showed it.

  4. Zyxomma says:

    Wow! Apart from the lovely photos of gorgeous glass art, I have another reason to do a happy dance. I bought a used copy of a textbook on Creative Suite 5 (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) because lessons are out of my price range right now. When it arrived, instead of delivering it to the store downstairs, where I get all my packages, I discovered to my horror that the letter carrier had shoved it into my mailbox and broken the DVD, which I need to learn the lessons in the book. The seller refunded a small part of my money, but that did nothing for my frustration. Well, the lightbulb finally went on after I looked for it on youtube, and I checked the library’s website. Sure enough, NYPL has it! I just reserved it, and will have it next month. I’m finally going to learn CS5!! Ecstatic. Now, if I could only visit The Forum …

  5. merrycricket says:

    We do love our Chihuly glass here in Columbus! These are beautiful pictures Jeanne! Glad you were able to get some down time with your kids.

    I had another job interview today. I should hopefully hear something next week. ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Mo says:

    Wow! Thanks! I’ve been dying to go to Seattle and see this.

  7. mike from iowa says:

    Absolutely,stunning and vivid colors. Got a postcard from my eldest sibling-a sister from Florida. She had back surgery a week ago,has had ruptured disks in her back for many years. Makes number five of nine siblings who have had back surgery in mikey’s family. Fortunately She will be able to make the journey to iowa for our family re-union on Labor Day Sunday. Now if my other sister with her broken hip can hobble in from Colorado and my broyther and sister-in-law from where those two girls disappeared a week ago can make it,I will be happy to get Ms. Bubbles and have her attend,if only I could find Ohio. Ms. Bubbles,I haven’t forgotten your invitation.

  8. bubbles says:

    Jeanne these photos are absolutely wonderful. i was lucky enough to catch Mr. Chuhily’s work in Ohio a few years back. it was an amazing experience. your photos brought it all back. thank you.
    glad to have made it on the blog for.now. love to all

  9. slipstream says:

    Cool museum! Do they allow BB guns?

    • Sister A says:

      For that, glass blowers will haunt your dreams for the rest of your life. ๐Ÿ˜‰

      • slipstream says:

        Ah, Sister A, if glass blowers were all that haunted my dreams, I wouldn’t need half the meds I need now . . .

    • mike from iowa says:

      Slip,no offense,but if you have to ask,you aren’t cut out to be a m-m,like the Joker. Which is a good thing.

    • leenie17 says:

      Only if they use mini marshmallows for ammunition.

  10. Hi – for Forum refugees – trying to work up a temporary meeting place. More news to follow.

    • Zyxomma says:

      Thanks so much Writing. I’ve been having trouble with withdrawal symptoms.

    • Sister A says:

      Me too. Really tells you something about your patterns when something goes missing. I was comparing it elsewhere on the blog that it was kind of like when your coffeeshop is closed for remodeling. You know, a coffeeshop you visit about 8 times a day. Where you bring your own coffee. Or cocktails. And you can be in your pajamas, or whatever….

      *sigh*

      I should come here (the blog comments) more often. Maybe this will kick me in gear.