The centerpiece of Chihuly Garden and Glass is the Glasshouse. A 40-foot tall, glass and steel structure covering 4,500 square feet of light-filled space, the Glasshouse is the result of Chihuly’s lifelong appreciation for conservatories. The design of the Glasshouse draws inspiration from two of his favorite buildings: Sainte-Chapelle in Paris and the Crystal Palace in London.

The installation in the Glasshouse is an expansive 100-foot long sculpture in a color palette of reds, oranges, yellows and amber. Made of many individual elements, it is one of Chihuly’s largest suspended sculptures. The perception of the artwork varies greatly with natural light and as the day fades into night.

CHIHULY'S FIRE ORANGE BASKETS
On view in the Glasshouse April 28-May 27

Revisiting a series Chihuly began in 1977, Fire Orange Baskets presents the asymmetrical forms in a stunning, orange hue complementary to the Glasshouse sculpture and Pacific Sun. With this site-specific grouping, Chihuly continues to push the boundaries of scale with his artworks. These Baskets are among the largest he’s created, in direct response to the grandeur of the Glasshouse. Chihuly’s earliest Baskets, some of which are featured in the exhibition’s Northwest Room, are presented in subdued hues. The Chihuly Fire Orange Baskets with bright, vibrant colors are a stark contrast, illustrating the artist’s penchant to revisit series works and experiment with qualities such as scale and color, as well as presentation.