Sneak peek at the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit
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SEATTLE -- The Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit doesn't open for three more weeks, but on Wednesday KOMO got a first look at what will be the largest collection of Chihuly's work ever to be displayed.
The Chihuly garden is an explosion of spectacular colors bursting from the base of the Space Needle. There are red reeds just out of the box and a green icicle tower, as well as the signature piece in front of the glass house.
"This is the sun, and that's something we desperately need in Seattle, so I'm really excited we have this piece," said executive director Michelle Bufano.
Everything outside is blown thicker to help it withstand the elements, and the engineering is precise.
"We are completely prepared for an earthquake, and I know that sounds funny when you're looking at a glass house filled with glass," Bufano said. "But everything was engineered and designed to make sure that nothing would happen to the artwork."
Anyone walking through the Seattle Center can get a glimpse of the garden, but KOMO was able to get a look inside, where eight gallery rooms are under construction, piece by fragile piece.
"Everybody who works with glass owes a debt of gratitude to the guy. And it's special. Everyone should come check it out," said glass handler Paul Cunningham.
In addition to the sea life room, there's a nearly-complete boats display inspired by a scene Chihuly witnessed in Finland.
The neon lights from his early work in the 70s are also on display, and 28 of his personal collections are folded in.
The larges piece in the exhibit -- one of the largest Chihuly has ever done -- is in the Persians installation.
"When Dale comes in to see where we're at, he was noticing that there needed to be more transparent Persians. So the last couple days at the boathouse, they have been blowing all of these you see in front of you," said Bufano.
The Chihuly garden is an explosion of spectacular colors bursting from the base of the Space Needle. There are red reeds just out of the box and a green icicle tower, as well as the signature piece in front of the glass house.
"This is the sun, and that's something we desperately need in Seattle, so I'm really excited we have this piece," said executive director Michelle Bufano.
Everything outside is blown thicker to help it withstand the elements, and the engineering is precise.
"We are completely prepared for an earthquake, and I know that sounds funny when you're looking at a glass house filled with glass," Bufano said. "But everything was engineered and designed to make sure that nothing would happen to the artwork."
Anyone walking through the Seattle Center can get a glimpse of the garden, but KOMO was able to get a look inside, where eight gallery rooms are under construction, piece by fragile piece.
"Everybody who works with glass owes a debt of gratitude to the guy. And it's special. Everyone should come check it out," said glass handler Paul Cunningham.
In addition to the sea life room, there's a nearly-complete boats display inspired by a scene Chihuly witnessed in Finland.
The neon lights from his early work in the 70s are also on display, and 28 of his personal collections are folded in.
The larges piece in the exhibit -- one of the largest Chihuly has ever done -- is in the Persians installation.
"When Dale comes in to see where we're at, he was noticing that there needed to be more transparent Persians. So the last couple days at the boathouse, they have been blowing all of these you see in front of you," said Bufano.
