Colorful glasses at a botanical garden

It was an unworldly sight at the exhibition "Chihuly at Phipps: Gardens and Glass". May 21, 2007.

It’s always a joyful thing to visit a botanical garden in Springtime, to see flowers blossom in every possible colour. They are elegant, exotic and flat out beautiful. However, a visit is even better when there’s some special art installation going on in it. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania U.S., in May 2007, when artist Dale Chihuly dressed up the garden in vibrant glass sculpture.

Once I walked inside the green house, I found some strange looking glass spikes in different shades, curling at different directions. The title of this piece was “Amber Cattails.” They were placed among a bunch of green leafy plants, so striking as if they were some tropical plants dancing on top of the leaves. After that, it was rooms after rooms of bold colour, the contrast really left a strong impression in my head. There were lots of unexpected colour, it was like walking in the wonderland full of surprises.

I was a little surprised by the combo of cactus and purple. It's called "Neodymium Reeds" at Phipps, Pittsburgh. May 21, 2007.

"Macchia" at the sunken garden. Big round leaves in glass with playful colour at Phipps, Pittsburgh. May 21, 2007.

"Persian Chandelier" looked like some yellow leaves dancing together in the air. Phipps, Pittsburgh. May 21, 2007.

"Blue Herons" are elegant curves that grow out of the water at Phipps, Pittsburgh. May 21, 2007.

"Desert golden star". Spiky yellow glass against spiky green leaves at Phipps, Pittsburgh. May 21, 2007.

A boat load of hand blown glass eggs floating in the pond at Phipps Pittsburgh. May 21, 2007.

The colour reminds me of some yellow orchids. Phipps, Pittsburgh. May 21, 2007.

"Rose crystal tower" was a big installation outdoor like a monument for the nature. They looked like some delicious candies reflecting different shades of pink at Phipps's outdoor garden, Pittsburgh. May 21, 2007.

The organic form and lively movement of the glass scultptures went so well with the real plants around. It was amazing how the artist drew inspiration from the nature, and created something with such harmony as a bridge between art and nature. It was one of the prettiest thing I’ve seen inside a botanical garden.

Of course there were gorgeous flowers to be admire everywhere, it was Spring! Phipps Conversatory, Pittsburgh. May 21, 2007.

A little corner for the kids to water the grass around. My sister and I filled out all duckies before we left the Phipps. Pittsburgh. May 21, 2007.

Note: “Chihuly at Phipps: Gardens and Glass” was displayed at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Pittsburgh, in 2007. For Dale Chihuly’s current exhibition, please visit www.chihuly.com. You may also find some official photos at the Phipps Annual Report 2007