Here’s your first look at Chihuly at Biltmore

32673707_2080861338858608_90398324162560000_n

Sole d’Oro is Italian for “golden sun.” Chihuly created his first Sun sculpture in 1998, and as with much of his work, has since returned to the concept with new colors + scale.

Table of Contents

The Biltmore has been planning the largest exhibition in its historic gardens for more than a decade. And finally, last week, Chihuly at Biltmore opened with a mega installation of glass sculptures from the famous artist Dale Chihuly. Tens of thousands of glass pieces make up the sculptures that reside in 14 locations around the estate. (which is the very first major N.C. Chihuly exhibition).
The installation is up from now through Oct. 7th, and viewing is included in your daytime admission ticket (and free for annual pass holders). Chihuly Nights at Biltmore is offered on select nights where the glass sculptures are lit up, plus live music in the gardens + a wine bar. A separate ticket is required for Chihuly Nights. Tickets are $37.50 for kids + range from $65 – 75 for adults. (Biltmore annual pass holders may receive up to $20 discount for Chihuly Nights).

Three new works were blown just for Biltmore, and 6 new compositions were put together. 👏
Last week, we checked out the exhibition, along with Dale and his wife Leslie.

[embed]https://www.facebook.com/theAVLtoday/videos/2082824375328971/[/embed]

Torcello

32971358_2082800008664741_4369031829471100928_n

Torcello is named after a lagoon in Venice, Italy + is part of Chihuly’s a “thousand flowers” series, which began in 2003.

The Tower series

32692552_2080861458858596_2293046437623103488_n

Experimentation with the Chandeliers for Chihuly Over Venice project where brought Chihuly to future projects to create large sculptures for spaces without ceilings or
where the ceilings could not bear the weight of Chandeliers, giving life to the development of the Tower series.

Niijima Floats

32643463_2080861412191934_5017161287998636032_n

Named for the island of Niijima in Tokyo Bay, and for the small Japanese fishing floats Chihuly would find on the shores of Puget Sound as a child (he grew up in Seattle), these are very likely the largest glass spheres ever blown (up to 40 inches in diameter and up to 80 pounds). More from the Tower Series:

32678206_2080861495525259_5068101979541078016_n

Another in the Tower Series.

32737298_2080861565525252_7937460791232430080_n

More from AVL Today