Glass Art Piece in Chicago Smashed

Associated Press ^ | Monday, August 19, 2002

[Dog Gone]

CHICAGO (AP) -- Someone shattered a $70,000 glass flower sculpture by artist Dale Chihuly that was on display at the Garfield Park Conservatory, officials said.

The colorful figurine, part of the ``Chihuly in the Park'' exhibit, was irreversibly damaged Friday night while the conservatory was closed for a private party, Chicago Park District spokeswoman Angelynne Amores said.

``It's like someone plucked the flower,'' said Amores.

Police said their investigation would include tracking down guests at the party, held to honor a couple on their wedding anniversary. The cost of the damage will be recouped because the party hosts had to carry $2 million worth of insurance.

Police said they didn't know how or why the visitor damaged the sculpture, which looks like a glass vase with a flower and a plant inside.

But police said that given its location -- in the middle of an ankle-deep pond surrounded by a waterfall -- whoever broke it had to go to some trouble to get to it.

``You have to crawl through this pond to get to this piece, so obviously it's not totally accidental,'' said Sgt. John Pallohusky. ``But we're just not sure if it was malicious or not.''

More than 450,000 people have visited the exhibit since it opened at the conservatory, a large indoor garden house, last November. Because of its popularity, the show was recently extended for a second time until Nov. 4.

Among Chihuly's best-known works are the floral chandelier in the Bellagio hotel-casino in Las Vegas, a 55-foot glass tower at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, and the newly opened Chihuly Bridge of Glass, a 500-foot pedestrian bridge in Chihuly's native Tacoma, Wash.

[Orual]

Thanks for the link. Here's the direct link to his glass water sculptures.

[Dog Gone]

Wow, some of those are great! And some are pretty funky. I guess that's why it's art.

[newzjunkey]

For those who don't know, as I remember from 6-8 years ago Chihuly can only see out of one eye and doesn't actually blow this glass himself anymore. He supervises the glass blowing of apprentices in his studio. He might do drawings of designs; I can't recall.

[GnuHere]

Who are the real masters of blown glass?
Not asking for a free lesson; just curious.

[dennisw]

The artist:

[Dog Gone]

He needs a glass parrot on his shoulder.

[drjimmy]

I love the sound of breaking glass
Especially when I'm lonely
I need the noises of destruction
When there's nothing new
Oh nothing new, sound of breaking glass

I love the sound of breaking glass
Deep into the night
I love the sound of its condition
Flying all around
Oh all around, sound of breaking glass
Nothing new, sound of breaking glass

Nick Lowe

[hellinahandcart]

Dale Chihuly was the head of the Glass department when I was a student at RISD. I was not fortunate enough to take a class from him. I always loved his work, but especially what he was producing back then--vessels as opposed to sculpture...

I believe I saw him blowing glass on a PBS special about his installations, though. Maybe two years ago. And for one of these installations, where hundreds of pieces are involved, it's perfectly legitimate to turn over a lot of the work to apprentices.

If he can't actually do it anymore, how sad.

[CdMGuy]

You are right. Chihuly no longer blows glass. Works identified as being a Chihuly come from his studios where his students create his designs. The question is whether this destroyed work was truly a Chihuly blown piece or one of his designs.

As for those posters here who have mocked the photo of his works, maybe you should get out and see one of his exhibits as it passes through a museum near you. His works are amazing as to shapes, colors, etc.

[grumpster-dumpster]

"He needs a glass parrot on his shoulder."

ROTFLOL!

[dennisw]

He needs a glass parrot on his shoulder.

Also a glass peg leg.