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The
Children's Museum of Indianapolis Unveils Fireworks
of Glass,
Dale
Chihuly's Largest Permanent Sculpture of Blown
Glass
The
grand opening of Fireworks of Glass is March 18,
2006
 INDIANAPOLIS:
Dedicated to creating extraordinary family
learning experiences across the arts, sciences and
humanities, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
in conjunction with renowned artist Dale Chihuly,
opens Fireworks of Glass, the largest permanent
sculpture of Chihuly blown glass ever
created. The 43-foot Tower rises above a
floating glass ceiling under which an innovative
hands-on glassblowing exhibit for children and
families is housed. Fireworks of Glass is a
permanent world-class work of art for children and
families to explore, learn about and create their
own works of art.
Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060318/DESA001
Located
in the museum's core, a five-story central atrium,
the Chihuly sculpture and ceiling will be seen by
more visitors than any other exhibit in the
museum. "An estimated 60 million children and
families and up to 7 million school children, and
their teachers, over the next 50 years will view
Fireworks of Glass, an extraordinary work of art
that would not normally be seen in a children's
museum," said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and
CEO of The Children's Museum of
Indianapolis.
"Glass is the most magical of all materials.
It transmits light in a special way ... I'm pleased
that my art appeals to so many people of all
ages. As a parent and an artist, I'm
especially looking forward to leaving a legacy at
The Children's Museum, a place where I hope my work
brings joy to children who visit from all over the
world," said Dale Chihuly.
"The Children's Museum is known for providing
outstanding opportunities for the exploration of
the sciences, history and humanities. This
one of a kind work of art will serve as an icon for
cultural tourism for our city," said Indianapolis
Mayor Bart Peterson.
Fireworks
of Glass:
Standing
more than 43-feet tall, Fireworks of Glass is
comprised of more than 3,200 individually blown,
glass pieces.
During the day, it is bathed in natural light and
is spectacularly lit at night for evening
events. Children and families can circle the
tower via the museum's ramps to explore the
sculpture from all sides.
Fireworks
of Glass Ceiling:
The
Fireworks of Glass ceiling is cross shaped, and
consists of more than 1,600 brilliant, colorful
glass pieces in a myriad of shapes.
Exotic-named pieces such as Sea Tubes, Hornballs,
Persians, and Putti are displayed inside a
suspended glass ceiling with the tower mounted
above. From the museum's Lower Level,
children and their families are able to sit on a
revolving viewing platform below the illuminated
ceiling and talk about what they see
overhead. Special lighting highlights
individual pieces and casts dramatic colors and
patterns on the floor and walls.
The
Interactive Hands-On Exhibit:
Underneath
the ceiling of Fireworks of Glass, is a permanent
hands-on interactive exhibit area featuring
learning stations where visitors create their own
sculptures from a wide variety of colorful, molded
glass-like shapes called polyvitro.
Family-sized benches, surrounded by computer touch
screens, accommodate families as they blow their
own virtual glass art piece. Visitors can
also view a 180-degree virtual image of the Hot
Shop where Chihuly and his team blow glass.
On-screen boxes pop up with information about
Chihuly, his artwork, the glassblowing process and
the design, creation and installation of Fireworks
of Glass.
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N.
Meridian St. The museum is open daily, 10
a.m. - 5 p.m. (Closed Mondays, Labor Day -
mid-March only.) Admission prices are as
follows: Under 2, free; Youths (2 - 17), $7;
Adults, $12; and Seniors (60+), $11.
SOURCE
The Children's Museum of
Indianapolis
CONTACT:
Donna Lolla, Director of Public and Media Relations
of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis,
+1-317-334-4003,
donnal@ChildrensMuseum.org ; or Janet Makela,
Publicist of Chihuly Studio,
+1-858-775-1702, jmakela@earthlink.net
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Photo:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060318/DESA001
AP Archive:
http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
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/Web site: http://www.childrensmuseum.org
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