SINGAPORE — A major garden exhibition by Dale Chihuly, one of the world’s most renowned glass artists from Seattle, has introduced a Virtual Experience component that will allow people from all over the world to immerse in the kaleidoscopic and captivating world of Dale Chihuly. Having just come to a close on 3 October 2021, the Dale Chihuly: Glass in Bloom exhibition took place amidst the verdant tropical setting of Singapore’s iconic Gardens by the Bay and presented visitors with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience an extensive collection of the celebrated artist’s works.
The exhibition was organized by Hustle & Bustle, supported by the Singapore Tourism Board, venue partner Gardens by the Bay, automotive sponsor Porsche, and presented by title sponsors Bank of Singapore and OCBC Premier Private Client.
“I’m thrilled to show my work in such a dynamic location in Singapore,” said Chihuly. “The natural world is an endless source for creativity, and it has been so inspiring to bring my work to life in this urban garden oasis.”
Dale Chihuly is an award-winning, multi-media artist known for his installations in museums, gardens, and public spaces around the world. For more than 50 years, he has pushed the boundaries of glass, reinventing natural and man-made environments with his experiments in light, space, and form.
Dale Chihuly: Glass in Bloom was the latest manifestation of the artist’s practice as he reimagined the landscapes of Singapore’s iconic Gardens by the Bay with 25 of his magnificent large-scale installations, as well as more than 80 pedestal sculptures and two-dimensional works. The works, which have been shipped directly from Seattle and installed on-site, marked the first exhibition of its scale to be hosted at Gardens by the Bay, and made it the first garden in Asia to provide the verdant tropical setting for people in Singapore to experience the stunning works of Chihuly for themselves.
Among the exhibition highlights were Chihuly’s majestic Setting Sun, and Moon, a large spherical installation that was last presented in the artist’s landmark exhibition, Chihuly in the Light of Jerusalem 2000. Visitors had the chance to see Ethereal White Persians at the Serene Garden, and Cloud Forest Persians, a study in scale and translucency which debuted in 2019 at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, in London. These large-scale works, which measure up to 10 metres in height and weigh as much as 3600 kg, were curated and designed to complement the spaces within Gardens by the Bay’s Flower Dome, Cloud Forest and outdoor gardens.
To make art more accessible to international audiences, Hustle & Bustle has launched a Virtual Experience of Dale Chihuly: Glass in Bloom due to the positive response received by the exhibition in Singapore. Available for free, the Virtual Experience of Dale Chihuly: Glass in Bloom is available here, and can be viewed till 31 December 2021. For international fans of Chihuly’s artworks, this Virtual Experience will provide them with an opportunity to appreciate his magnificent artworks from the comfort of their homes.
“Chihuly is a symbol of resilience, as portrayed in his mastery of the beautiful and delicate art of glassblowing. We are captivated by his life story, and view this momentous exhibition as an opportunity to share his inspirational story with the rest of Singapore, despite the challenges of putting together a show of this scale in the midst of a pandemic. When the world has come to a standstill during this pandemic period, Chihuly’s works bring our focus back to nature. While the physical exhibition has ended, we hope to continue bringing joy and making art accessible to locals and international audiences alike with the introduction of this Virtual Experience component, who can immerse in and appreciate the stunning works of Chihuly,” said Michael Lee, CEO of Hustle & Bustle, on the partnership with Chihuly Studio.
