It sounds cutesy – and perhaps far-fetched – but Montreal’s newest blown glass exhibit might just blow you away. Dale Chihuly, whose work is currently showcased at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, has become renowned internationally for his incredible blown glass installations. Until October 20, Montrealers can visit the six-room exhibit and be inspired by the vibrancy, scale, and craftsmanship of Chihuly’s work.
At the top of the museum’s grand staircase, visitors will find themselves in a magical space, enveloped in bossa nova and in near-darkness punctuated by accent lighting. It is Chihuly’s capacity to combine patterns, texture, and light that makes his work what it is.
The product of meticulous skill and human work, Chihuly’s art still manages to stay firmly rooted in nature. In some of his pieces, wood serves as a base, reflecting enormous glass sculptures’ humble beginnings as grains of sand. The “Macchiato Forest” collection even owes its name to nature, with spotlights illuminating the scallop-edged pieces in an array of bright colours and patterns.
The second room displays “Glass Forest #6,” an astonishing assortment of tall glass pieces, with trunks of neon colours lit up from the inside. Beyond this forest, museum-goers will find a breathtaking arrangement of glasswork displayed in long wooden boats, again showing Chihuly’s penchant for holding onto the natural world.
Flowers, glass tendrils, and balls come together in colourful contraptions; the intricacy of Chihuly’s work is impressive. Rich colours and detailed textures are the order of the day; one cannot help but wonder at the time and energy each collection must have taken. Indeed, Chihuly is known for working on his series over the course of decades. His influences reach back to his childhood memories and life experiences. He derived his admiration of glass, colour, and flowers from an early age – his mother was a passionate gardener.
A highlight of the exhibit, “Persian Ceiling” involves a number of Chihuly’s pieces in different shapes, colours, and sizes – all floating, suspended, over a transparent ceiling. Light filters into the room through this decorative ceiling, casting streaks of rainbow on the walls. Attendants are encouraged to admire this piece by lying on bean bag chairs or sitting on the floor.
The settings of the exhibit will only help visitors immerse themselves in the art. Chihuly’s work is well framed by the museum’s imposing architecture, which mirrors both the vast scale and intricate detail of the pieces themselves, four of which were created specifically for this exhibition. So forget any preconceived ideas you might have about blown glass and let yourself wander into Chihuly’s world.
Visit the exhibit’s website to watch a video documenting the installation of Chihuly’s work “The Sun,” currently sitting outside the Museum of Fine Arts. Ticket for students are $12, with a discounted rate on Wednesday evenings.