To walk into the stunning ‘Persian Room’, is definitely a true WOW experience!
P1140973 © JT of jtdytravels
The ceiling is an extravagant flood of brilliant colour and flower forms inspired by Middle East glass works from the 12th to 14th Century.
P1140973 © JT of jtdytravels
The colours flow down the walls into an entirely empty room… empty except for a bench set at the back that allows you to sit and look up and be enthralled by the ceiling.
This room prepares you,some what but not entirely, for the riot of brilliant colour and form that fills the next room.
P1140973 © JT of jtdytravels
In this room, a large black mirrored ‘lake’ is filled with a kaleidoscope of multi coloured sculptures referred to by Chihuly as his nature inspired ‘Mille Fiori’ works; sinuos herons, tall reeds, grasses, leaves and coloured balls. It’s exciting, breathtaking – an explosion’ of colour and light, form and texture. It’s a joyous showcase of various glass art forms and techniques developed across the decades. I’ll leave you to enjoy!
P1140973 © JT of jtdytravels
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P1140973 © JT of jtdytravels
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P1140973 © JT of jtdytravels
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P1140973 © JT of jtdytravels
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P1140973 © JT of jtdytravels
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P1140973 © JT of jtdytravels
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P1140973 © JT of jtdytravels
Fortunately, there were benches along the wall in this room. So much to take in!
P1140973 © JT of jtdytravels
In the next room is another black mirror lake; this time adorned with Chihuly’s boats filled with coloured balls and baubles that have become famous all over the world.
P1140973 © JT of jtdytravels
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P1140973 © JT of jtdytravels
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P1140973 © JT of jtdytravels
The twisting, curling forms recur in later works which we’ll look at next time.
In the meantime, I can recommend these videos demonstrating the way the flower forms, used on the ceiling of the ‘Persian Room’, and the ‘Mille Fiori’ forms, used on the lake scenes, are made.
Persian Room : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1cOI51JC5o
Mille Fiori: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a72cwvId-IA
More anon
Jennie and David
All photographs copyright © JT and DY of jtdytravels
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