Chihuly at NYBG

Chihuly Night at NYBG

August 2017

          A brief report of our “Chihuly Night” at New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx with friends Marlene & Lydia. Dale Chihuly “has led the avant-garde in the development of glass as a fine art.” He’s installed major exhibitions from Boston and Seattle to Venice and Jerusalem. 

We’ve been to NYBG a number of times, including the Spring Orchid Festivals and Fall Mum Festivals; see my "Gardens" post. 

And seen Chihuly glass there (2006) and at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London (2004). So we were very interested to see promotions for “Chihuly Nights,” April to October on select nights 6:30-10:30.  More than 20 installations, many with multiple sculptures, thruout the gardens. Plus lighting at night. This reminds us of our visit to a Chinese lantern festival in the Montreal Botanical Garden (2010), when we enjoyed the colorful displays in both sunlight and night lighting. In addition to the flowers and glasswork, there are musicians in a few locations and panels of poetry about the sculptures written by elementary school children. But 2 disappointments: the tram around the gardens (a Marjorie favorite) isn’t running and the Children’s Adventure Garden is closed when we get to it (no sculptures).

          Reserved tickets for Thursday 8/10. A nice day, partly sunny in the low 80s. We pick up Lydia at “Departure,” the airport museum shop where she works with Marjorie. An uneventful drive to Marlene’s in Poughkeepsie. Marlene and Lydia hit it off right away, sharing artistic interests and regional history. A light meal of Marlene’s yummy gazpacho & grilled cheese. Off about 4:30, we make good time going opposite most of the rush hour traffic, to NYBG a little after 6 and parking across the street at Fordham.

          Not too crowded when we enter, but busier as it gets darker. First past "Red Reeds on Logs" to the Conservatory, fronted by the large “Sol del Citrón,” while there’s still good daylight for viewing the ponds outside. 

The combination of water lilies, glass panels in the ponds, reflections from “Neon 206” installation, and the pretty buildings makes for quite lovely tableaus. 

Nearby is the tall “Scarlet and Yellow Icicle Tower.” 

Into the interior of the Conservatory. An overheard admonition: “It’s not about the pictures, it’s about the experience!” Humph, clearly not a photographer! Many beautiful scenes, including “Persian Pond and Fiori,” “White Belugas,” 

“Glass House Fiori,” 

“White Tower with Fiori,” and “Macchia Forest.” 
 

From the Conservatory it’s a bit of a hike to the Library, but well worth it: “Blue Polyvitro Crystals” is especially impressive set in the pool in front with the wonderful “Fountain of Life” (sea horses, water nymph, mermaid & merman, etc.). Lowering sun adds to the pretty lighting.

Continuing on past “Sapphire Star” to the Native Plant Garden and colorful “Float Boat.” And fauna, as well: “There’s so many bats!” Marjorie exclaims as they flit about overhead. 

Back to the Conservatory. Now that it’s dark the lighting gives a different perspective on the installations we viewed earlier.

 

Back toward the entry gate, a rather loud musical group in front of more Chihuly glass hanging in the entryway. 

Plenty of glass and Chihuly books in the gift shop. We could pick up a modest Chihuly for our garden for only $7-8,000.

Ah, but we already have our own glass installation.

We leave about 10, back to Marlene’s about 11:30 to unwind with some wine and fruit. Next morning Marlene’s huevos rancheros & guacamole get the day started right. Then back to Albany and Marjorie's garden.