A Chihuly Kind of Day
It is just when mother nature gives us a tease of warm temperatures in the middle of winter that I really get spring fever. I am just itching to see those spring blooms and vivid colors in my garden again. To feed my soul I took a look back at my photographs from last summer's visit to the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Coincidentally they were celebrating their 15th Anniversary with a Dale Chihuly exhibit. I am a big fan of his work and I was first introduced to his series of exhibitions with botanical settings at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens in 2004. I really love his organically shaped glass sculptures and how they work so well in the botanical environment.
These two pieces were on display in the Tropical Conservatory. They standout enough to make an artistic statement and yet they fit in with the tropical elements as if they are meant to be there.
A walk outside to the waterfall in the Sculpture Park revealed the Niijima Floats. They are very large glass balls which may be a little deceiving in this photograph since the waterfall is pretty large. They were stunning.
But then a walk over to The Goves and Hekman Pond took my breath away.
I could sit at the pond for the entire afternoon. It was so incredibly serene. There was just enough of a breeze so that the floats (Walla Wallas) danced in the rippling water and the willow branches swayed through the water making a lovely rustling sound.
The boat (Yellow Boat) was filled with various glass forms in wonderful greens and yellows with the occasional punch of purple.
The Blue Moon at Hekman Pond
Around the corner from the pond were long cylindrical pieces (Reeds & Spears) littered on the hillside reaching for the sky. The intense red against the hill of lush green grass was very dramatic.
Another bold statement is this tower (Citron Green and Red Tower) in front of the Conservatory.
In stark contrast these trumpets provide much softer feel and complimented the perennials well.
I think I have had my color fix and am now energized to continue my color choices for my landscape this year. But, spring still can't get here soon enough!
