A team from Dale Chihuly’s Seattle studio is in Richmond this week to install Red Reeds, a sculpture 60 feet in length, in VMFA’s reflecting pool. The internationally renowned artist created 200 red glass reeds as part of this fall’s exhibition, Chihuly at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, opening October 20.
The reeds were blown by team Chihuly in Finland because of the excellent clarity of glass and to take advantage of the bigger annealing ovens used to faciliate the curing of these large-scaled elements, which are as much as 10 feet in height.
Water lilies, lotus and grasses will be positioned throughout the installation. Chihuly’s work is frequently informed by nature and the artist has exhibited his work at major botantical gardens and natrual settings internationally.
The full Chihuly presentation at VMFA is the artist’s third major U.S. museum exhibition in recent years. Chihuly is recognized for his ambitious architectural installations around the world, in historic cities, public museums and gardens. Ninety-seven exhibitions in seven countries have presented artworks by the artist during the last decade, which have been enjoyed by more than 10 million visitors. He is credited with revolutionizing the Studio Glass movement and elevating the medium of glass from the realm of craft to fine art.
About the exhibition
- TITLE: Chihuly at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
- DATES: Oct. 20, 2012 – Feb. 10, 2013
- TICKETS $20; $16 for seniors, students with valid ID and groups of 10 or more. Free for members. To purchase, visit www.vmfa.museum/chihuly or call 804.340.1405.
- HOTEL PACKAGES: Hotel and travel packages are in development and will be posted at http://www.visitrichmondva.com/Plan/Hotel-Packages
- SOUVENIR BOOK: Chihuly | Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (working title), Details TBA.
- SPONSORS: Presenting Sponsor: Altria Group, Inc.
About the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
With a collection of art that spans the globe and more than 5,000 years, plus a wide array of special exhibitions, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) is recognized as one of the top comprehensive art museums in the United States. The museum’s permanent collection encompasses more than 23,000 works of art, including the largest public collection of Fabergé outside Russia and one of the nation’s finest collections of American Art, Art Nouveau and Art Deco. VMFA is home to acclaimed collections of English Silver and Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, British Sporting and Modern & Contemporary art, as well as renowned South Asian, Himalayan and African art. In May 2010, VMFA opened its doors to the public after a transformative expansion, the largest in its 75-year history. Programs include educational activities and studio classes for all ages, plus fun after-hours events. VMFA’s Statewide Partnership program includes traveling exhibitions, artist and teacher workshops, and lectures across the Commonwealth. VMFA is open 365 days a year and general admission is always free. For additional information, telephone 804-340-1400 or visit www.vmfa.museum.