Hello Friends and Family,
Link to this year's index by clicking here.
Desert Botanical Garden: Chihuly, Part 6 |
Chihuly must like his reeds, these are "Neodymium Reeds". In fact, the artist states, "In Finland we started making these long, cylindrical pieces that looked like spears. This was an exciting new form. It was the first time we ever made anything like that. Sometimes I call them spears and sometimes I call them reeds. They can be taken anywhere — they can go outside. They are very strong pieces, and they are very dramatic." They really do fit nicely among the various forms of desert vegetation. |
A bit of science here thanks to Wikipedia — "Neodymium is a chemical element with the symbol Nd and atomic number 60." And, "Neodymium compounds were first commercially used as glass dyes in 1927, and they remain a popular additive in glasses. The color of neodymium compounds—due to the Nd3+ ion—is often a reddish-purple but it changes with the type of lighting, due to fluorescent effects." And now we know. |
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Practically invisible during the day, Chihuly placed a collection of neon abstractions called "Desert Neon" — which seem to float above the garden since they are visible from nearly everywhere. |
It is sad to see it go but I suspect there will be another Chihuly exhibition in the not-too-distant future. |
Life is good.
Aloha,
B. David
P. S., All photos and text © B. David Cathell Photography, Inc. — www.bdavidcathell.com