The Sun At Kew Gardens 2005, photo by Terry Rishel.
The famous landscape at Kew Gardens is set to be transformed by a bold exhibition of sculpture by one of the leading figures in contemporary glass, Dale Chihuly.
Gardens of Glass: Chihuly at Kew opens on May 25 and runs until January 16, 2006. The show will feature a spectacular sequence of uniquely shaped and vibrantly coloured glass sculptures set throughout Kew's 300-acre garden landscape.
The first of its kind to be held at the Royal Botanical Gardens, the exhibition has been specifically designed to respond to Kew's plants, trees and architecture as well as the sweeping vistas of the gardens and surrounding landscape.
The Sun At Kew Gardens can be seen in the Princess of Wales Conservatory, but for a sneak preview of some of the forthcoming pieces in the exhibition see the gallery of images below. Photo Terry Rishel.
Combining elements of art, science and nature most of the pieces will be set within the gardens, including the huge pond in front of the Palm House. Others will be placed inside the Temperate House and the Princess of Wales Conservatory.
“Wherever Chihuly and his team work they create a fantastic sense of excitement,” said Sir Peter Crane, Director of RBG Kew. “Gardens of Glass will be the unmissable exhibition of 2005 and we are thrilled to host it.”
Kew Gardens promise a visitor experience that will alter dramatically from day to night and from season to season. An advance piece from the exhibition, the Sun At Kew, is currently on display in the Princess of Wales Conservatory, but to whet your appetite before the exhibition opens, we preview some of the works of this spectacular artist below.
(You can view a larger version of the images below by clicking on the link next to each photograph).
