Installation Timelapse: Persian Tower by Dale Chihuly

Take a peek into the installation process for the Persian Tower by Dale Chihuly, now on permanent display at Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory.

Persian Tower by Dale Chihuly

A magnificent new addition to the Library’s Special Collections Room was unveiled to the public on October 26, 2023. The Persian Tower, created by renowned American glass artist Dale Chihuly, stands tall and consists of 18 pieces of blown glass on a steal base accentuated by another 13 pieces mounted on the wall. The spellbinding installation was made possible through the incredible generosity of donors Lorraine G. and Donald R. Fair.

Traditional glass factory production was about symmetry and creating perfectly formed vessels. Chihuly’s way of working represents a departure from the past, utilizing gravity and centrifugal force to let molten glass find its own shape. He creates innovative, large-scale glass sculptures that often feature bright and bold colors, organic forms, and intricate details.

Chihuly’s Persians are a celebration of wild symmetry and swirling patterns of color. First exhibited in 1986 as part of his exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Palais du Louvre in Paris, the dramatic forms are presented on pedestals and in compositions mounted on walls and suspended from ceilings in the form of chandeliers and towers. For Chihuly, Persians evoke an ancient sensibility and conjure notions of Venice and the Near and Far East. The use of ribbed optic molds is essential to the aesthetic of Persians. Molten glass, ringed by linear wraps, is plunged into these molds to create repetitive patterns. When blown out, the bubbles are transformed into swirling, irregularly shaped rondels with fascinating detail.

Displayed in museums and galleries around the world, Chihuly’s installations have captured the imagination of art enthusiasts and the general public alike. His ability to transform glass into breathtaking, larger-than-life creations has made him a celebrated figure in the world of contemporary glass art.

Dale Chihuly’s Persian Tower can be viewed anytime the Library is open. To learn more about Dale Chihuly and his work visit chihuly.com.

Видео Installation Timelapse: Persian Tower by Dale Chihuly канала Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory