Chihuly

This book is beautiful! I visited the botanical gardens in St. Louis and saw some of Dale Chihuly's work close up. I've never seen anything like it. What an incredible art form this is. This book brings back the same feelings I had while looking at his work in person. The pictures in this book are breathtaking. The great thing about this particular book is that it has pictures of his work located all over the world. Many of the pictures have a location listed and some of them have Mr. Chihuly's comments on the piece and how he felt about creating it. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a general book on his work. I have it on my coffee table in the family room and everyone who opens it up, can't put it down. Every turn of the page brings a "WOW" or "Incredible". Truly a `must have' book for your collection.

I was introduced to Chihuly through a special on my local PBS station many years ago. I couldn't remember his name, but I always remembered that he was the brilliant man with the unorthodox style. His vision and his artistic talents are immense. This book is absolutely mesmerizing and gorgeous with page after page of color photos. From the "Chihuly Over Venice" project to his designs for the set of the opera "Pelléas et Mélisande" for the Seattle Opera. This book truly is a feast for the eyes and the soul. Chihuly is a master of glass and this book proves it.

From the front page to the end this book you will be mesmorized. For those familiar with Maestro Chihuly's work this is a bible, for those that just come to learn about his creations this book is a must have. I feel that Dale Chihuly is one of the most talented artists of this century. His vision and creativity are so outstanding in a world of modern art sometimes too bare and conceptual. The book is an array of picture after picture of Chihuly's work. Splendid details can inspire from a decorator to a fashion designer, every page is a microcosmo of creativity. If I had to travel the universe with just a suitcase full of books, this is absolutly one of them.

Noted critic Donald Kuspit has written what is perhaps the best essay about the work of Seattle artist Dale Chihuly. Those familiar with the burgeoning studio glass movement may nonetheless wonder about the use of glass as a medium for art; Kuspit forcefully argues that Chihuly has pioneered a new art form that is in many ways an extension of traditional art and in some ways superior to current art styles. Kuspit shows how Chihuly's work gives fresh artistic meaning to traditional aspects of the glassmakers craft such as fragility, transparency, etc. The book is lavishly illustrated with color images of all aspects of the artist's work, including the early pivotal neon and ice sculptures and the recent "Chihuly Over Venice" project, and concludes with a detailed and illustrated chronology.