Title

Heart of Glass - Blenko Glass

Blenko Glass is a West Virginia treasure that spans generations. Nothing symbolizes the state of West Virginia better or more beautifully than Blenko Glass. We will discuss current and former craftsmen and designers and how important it is that Blenko and West Virginia glass be appreciated and valued by the younger generation.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Chihuly at Phipps in Pittsburgh

This weekend Eon with camera and I went to Pittsburgh to get more photos of Chihuly - so that I might encourage you to make the trip before this exhibit ends. Words do not exist to describe the glass. I'll post photos for several days along with Blenko stories. Chihuly is kinda connected to Blenko in that he was a Harvey Littleton student and Harvey Littleton spent some time at Blenko GLass. Our good friend Shorty Finley has a couple piece Harvey made for him - I'll post photos of these later. Take your calendar out and plant the trip to Phipps. This is a must see !

About Dale ChihulyWith vibrant colors, larger-than-life dimensions and a penchant for creative collaboration, Dale Chihuly has revolutionized the way artists look at glass. Always a believer that "more is better," Chihuly directs teams of people to execute his vision, both in the glassmaking studio and at exhibition locations such as Phipps. A prolific artist, Chihuly's works can be seen throughout the world, where his love of abstract natural forms brings a fantastical beauty to galleries, residences and a variety of unique venues.
Exhibit HoursDaily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pmChihuly Nights: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings from 7:00 to 10:00 pm
On October 1, Chihuly Nights expands to 6:00 to 10:00 pm Wednesday through Saturday
Chihuly Gatherings
The entrance....

Delight in several of Chihuly's dramtic IKEBANA sculptures nestled among the exotic collection of plants.
These green and blue reeds spiking up from a floor of luscious plans is dazzling. The color of these reeds is spectacular - each is similar but unique - must see in person to realize the beauty.

A great photo of this boat was in the Pittsbugh Post -Gazette last week. FLOAT BOAT this dramatic display features a wooden boat overflowing with multi colored glass spheres that spill over onto the water of the pond, surrounded by FLAMINGO FLOWERS and Creeping Jenny. Chihuly first filled boats with glass in Finland during the Chihuly Over Venice project in 1995. After several days of glass blowing his team made temporary installations along the Nuutajoki, the river nearby. He often tossed glass into the river, letting it float downstream. When the team found a partially submerged wooden rowboat, Chihuly filled it with glass.

13 comments:

andreendo said...

Awesome Photos! More Please!
Congrats to Eon, and include
yourself more often. I like enlarging the photos with a click.
Phipps is bit of a drive however, I may do it first week in Nov.
wanna meet there for the afternoon?
Probably I will bring a car of GAs.
AE
letmeknow

Anonymous said...

How did Pittsburgh rate such a large conservatory
magnificent one actually - when huntington has such a small
one and I don't think Charleston has one.
We all should be visiting and then lobbying for our state.
Margie H.

Anonymous said...

We have Chihuly at the Huntington Museum of Art
don't have to drive very far
and it is beautiful
did you know this?
S. Hibbard

Anonymous said...

chilhuly does nothing new
he doesnt blog glass anymore
everything is the same
whereever he goes
whats the big deal
about chilhuly
Italian Glass is the thing to
collect. American glass and glass
makers will never have value.
Get a life.
We had this conversation before.
G. Sheridan

Unknown said...

You are so amazing Hillary, sometimes I wonder you should be in Business world and should do MBA instead of Dental just a thought :) you amaze me with your talents. You are such a driving force focused. I love the way you make connection to Blenko and the effort you put which makes it more inspiring.

I read about Dale Chihuly online and his work is really impressive. The word "Chihully" just reminds me back home of India.
Thank you Hillary you are doing so much in this small space capturing glass art history and people associated with it. Your blog itself speaks of your immense knowldge of the art. I am learning and really enjoying reading about all these great artists and their work and contributions.
You put things in interesting way.

I want to thankyou for introducing people like us to this wonderful glass world so pretty and beautiful.
I feel so fresh seeing this colorful glass shaped so beautiful. I love colors, life will be so tasteless without color.

I will await more pics of this series and the glass pics made by Harvey/Finley

like you said - "each is similar but unique - must see in person to realize the beauty"
I zoomed out your picture you are so adorable and captive :) unique just like these beautiful glasses - Must See

Ram

Heart of Glass said...

Ram
Thank you for the kind words.
My knowledge is quiet limited, but my willingness to ASK for information is limitless(is this a word?). . . I sent an email to Chihuly about the origin of his name but haven't gotten a reply..wonder if if there is a connection?
Regardless - it makes me realize in this life we are all connected.
hjh

Anonymous said...

Ms. Homburg
Are you married to the
person I always see you with
in the HSC library?
DB

susan said...

love your glass frames can you
give me the designer and the # so I can get them?

Heart of Glass said...

They are Ghant #8941
however Clairborne makes a very similar frame # 723.
I'm switching this week.
My frames change as my life changes.
hjh

Anonymous said...

Hillary
U R Just 2 Much!
These photos are wonderful.
Keep Eon around. Photos are
much needed. Blenko in photos is good. U & Blenko in photos is great!
WVUGUY07

Anonymous said...

Blenko Glass and other companies in West Virginia
struggle because West Virginia is a union state. If you all
did away with the unions and the democrats your state would
be more successful.
I read where you are a Liberterian. This is a step in the
right direction. WV is last in everything yet they continue
to vote for democrats.
Its no wonder Blenko and other companies are going bankrupt.
Lloyd C. Belcher

Heart of Glass said...

West Virginia is blessed with the quality of our State and Federal Represenatatives.
Mr. Belcher, we are a small state
and everyone is entitled to their opinion.
VOTE that's the most important thing.
ALSO BUY BLENKO and made in WEST VIRGINIA and the USA when ever possible.
hjh

Heart of Glass said...

Answers:
Margie - I love a good protest! Let me know when.
SH - I have been to the Huntington Museum of Art and you are correct - its very nice! We have written about the Chihuly at HMOA several times. Great to have this wonderful resource.
Mr. Sheridan - I agree I Do NEED A LIFE!
DB - I'm sure we know one another - but I don't recognize the DB.
WVU GUY 07 = Eon isn't a professional photographer, but he has been a willing camera guy. I enjoy the photos also.
PLEASE KEEP ASKING questions and making comments -