New York Botanical Garden
BY ROBERTA GRAFF
Laid out on 718 acres along the
Bronx River in the Northeast
corner of The Bronx sits a
paradise of more than 50 gardens,
30,000 trees, a landmark glass
house, rain forest and cactus displays.
New York Botanical Garden
is nature’s showplace. And if that
were not enough, the current exhibit
of more than 20 works by the
renowned Dale Chihuly, makes it
the most magnificent art show in
New York.
Tacoma, Washington-born
Chihuly has been creating art for
over 50 of his 76 years. He was first
introduced to glass while studying
interior design at the University of
Washington. He moved on to the
Rhode Island School of Design and
taught there for a decade, turning
glass into fine art. Today, The
Pilchuck Glass School, founded
in Washington in 1971 by Chihuly,
Anne Gould Hauberg and John H.
Hauberg, is internationally famous.
Chihuly’s glass-blowing genius
has created miracles in this oasis
of nature. The Garden’s dramatic
vistas are living canvasses for his
work. They were created specifically
for this location, showcasing the
artist’s signature organic shapes in
brilliant colors. The piece in front
of the Enid Haupt Conservatory
can literally take your breath away.
In addition, there are early works
and drawings which reveal the
development of the artist and his
ability to interplay movement, color
and light. The Mertz Library has
many of his early pieces, most notably
“Fire Orange Baskets” from l977.
While in front of the Victorian Glass
House, there is a magnificent piece
“Sol del Citron,” a mere prelude to
the stunning “Blue Herons” inside.
It has been ten years since the last
Chihuly exhibit and this one is even
better. There are several unique programs.
2017
“Chihuly Nights”—which is
August outstanding—features the artist’s
¢COURIER TOWERS SHORE NORTH 40 Blue Herons illuminated neon works after dark,
a spectacular display, which can
only be seen to be properly experienced.
“Chillin’ with Chihuly” is
musical event, on August 12–13,
featuring acoustic guitar playing
and live glass fire demonstrations.
For the modern video screeners,
there are short film showings
throughout the day, which portray
a more intimate look at the man
who changed the way the art world
views glass sculpture. There’s also
a downloadable interactive guide
for your smart phone, which
leads users through the exhibition,
tracking their location and pointing
them in the direction of Chihuly’s
works via icons, which provide
rich contextual background as you
approach.
There is a magical energy at the
New York Botanical Garden. Make
plans to visit. You will love it.
Sol del Citron
Chihuly’s works come alive at night