'Chihuly at Biltmore' art exhibit opens with glass chandeliers, more at historic estate
ASHEVILLE - A visionary, a pioneer, and an alchemist ― American artist Dale Chihuly has proven to be these and more as he shapes the art industry and leaves a lasting impression on audiences worldwide.
On March 25, a new exhibit following the evolution of the famed glass artist’s 60-year career opened at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville: “Chihuly at Biltmore.”
Chihuly is widely known for making grandiose glass chandeliers constructed with individually handblown pieces.
“Chihuly at Biltmore” encompasses breathtaking large-scale architectural sculptures and other 3D and 2D works created with various styles and mediums displayed in the seven galleries, custom curated for the historic estate.
“Biltmore is a national treasure. Everyone knows about the Biltmore Estate and what it means to American history,” said Britt Cornett, Chihuly Studio director of exhibitions. “For Chihuly, there was always interest not only in presenting his work in traditional museum environments but maybe in unexpected places.”
‘A national treasure’
“Chihuly at Biltmore” will run through Jan. 5 at Amherst at Deerpark.
Chihuly Studio and Biltmore staff said conversations about exhibiting Chihuly’s artworks began in 2005 and led to the outdoor exhibit in 2018, wherein installations decorated areas like Biltmore House and Garden’s lawn and fountains.
“Dale Chihuly is the epitome of a glass artist who exemplifies quality and makes this a brand standard that parallels nicely with Biltmore and what we try to offer here,” said Travis Tatham, Biltmore’s director of destination entertainment and events. “So, we were thrilled when they said, ‘Yes, we would love to partner with you again’ and create something very different than what they created for us in the last exhibition.”
“Chihuly at Biltmore,” an indoor exhibition, differs from the prior exhibit at the estate in that it takes on a museum-style format. Guests are sent on a self-guided exploration of light, color, transparency and shapes, and learn about the process that molded bold ideas and used refined techniques to make the eclectic collection.
In the lobby, guests may watch a 12-minute documentary featuring Chihuly that details his life, thought processes, inspirations and techniques. Timelines on the walls highlight pivotal moments in the artist’s life and career from 1941 to 2024, and how glass art has been a part of Biltmore's history since 1860.
“It’s a great opportunity to help people discover things about Chihuly they may not be aware of,” Cornett said. “He’s a little more well-known for presenting installation chandeliers in particular but we go a little further back into his history, we talk about his methods and what he’s been doing for the last 60 years to today.”
‘Chihuly at Biltmore’ gallery tour
Engineering and infrastructure were a vital part of the custom-built exhibition space and for creating a premier viewing experience as each element was chosen to complement each of the 33 artworks.
Cornett said walls were constructed and painted to accent the art. Black plexiglass was applied to platform bases to reflect the lights and colors of the chandeliers and create an illusion of water in the garden of glass flowers.
“Chihuly at Biltmore” seven-gallery tour begins with Ikebana Light Drawing (2017), an abstract acrylic painting, and two large-scale molten glass sculptures of flowers in vases, “Silvered Ivory Ikebana with Crystal Stems” (2011) and “Silvered Crimson Ikebana with Clarion Stems” (2012) inspired by the art of Japanese flower arrangement.
The series began in 1989 but the artist has returned to the concept.
Guests continue through the galleries to discover a floor-to-ceiling display of Chihuly’s collection of vividly colored Indigenous western trade blankets, dating from 1900 to 1972.
Next, to Chihuly’s Soft Cylinders series featuring a dozen artworks incorporating the “pick-up drawing” technique and displayed on pedestals.
“Halfway into the blowing process, right after the last gather of glass has been dipped from the furnace, the gaffer comes down on the drawing with the molten glass and fuses it to the surface. This is the most exciting moment of making a Soft Cylinder,” according to a statement provided by the studio from Chihuly.
“Ikebana Doppio Drawing Suite #9” (2001), part of the “Works on Paper” 2D abstract drawing series, was created when Chihuly branched out to other creative expression forms following injuries that left him unable to blow glass, according to Cornett.
“Persian Ceiling,” first exhibited in 1986 at the Musée des Arts Decoratifs, Palais du Louvre in Paris, prompts viewers to look above to see the array of colorful handblown glass pieces of various sizes that cast hues across the white walls around them.
“Torchlight Chandelier” (2011), “Scarlet Icicle Chandelier” (2015) and “Radiant Yellow Icicle Chandelier” (2018) were made to reflect instead of emit light like traditional chandeliers as they were made to be lit by external light.
The Towers series challenged Chihuly “to create large sculptures for spaces without ceilings or where the ceilings could not bear the weight of ‘Chandeliers.’”
Pieces from the collection may weigh anywhere from 500 lbs. to 5,000 lbs.
“Mille Fiori” (2023), which translates from Italian to “a thousand flowers” features individual large-scale handblown pieces inspired by Chihuly’s memories, like his mother’s garden when he was a child and beach glass.
The final gallery features the “Sapphire Neon and Neodymium Reeds on Logs” (2023), a new installation using Sycamore logs sourced from Biltmore Estate.
“It’s very unique from what we offered in 2018 and it shows a side of his work that we were not able to show last time,” Tatham said. “It’s a great opportunity that the studio presented his work in a way that emulates all the things Dale is known for ― the glass art, the colors, the lights ― and we cannot be more thrilled about what has developed with this particular exhibition.”
Chihuly Studio arrives at Biltmore
Three years ago, the teams began planning for the 2024 special exhibit and the design, creation, package and implementation processes began nearly a year ago. Two weeks before opening day, the artworks ― transported in four 53-foot trailers from Seattle ― were unloaded and the Chihuly Studio and Biltmore teams installed the exhibit.
“It takes some heavy planning and infrastructure to mount a show, a large-scale exhibition of any kind, but in particular, transforming a space like this into a traditional museum gallery,” said Cornett, who’s worked with Chihuly Studio for nearly 19 years.
Cornett said Biltmore, the historic estate of George Vanderbilt, was a natural fit as Vanderbilt was an art collector. The estate’s collection includes works by classic artists like Claude Monet and renowned glass artists’ works. In recent years, Chihuly’s “Iris Gold and Garnet Chandelier” was acquired and is permanently displayed in Biltmore Winery.
“For (Chihuly), it was an opportunity to seize a long-time conversation and see his work placed against the juxtaposition of the beautiful Biltmore Estate. What artist wouldn’t want to do that?” Cornett said.
For “Chihuly at Biltmore,” additional installations are displayed outside Biltmore House ― “Winter White and Glacier Blue Tower” ― and Antler Hill Village ― “Torchlight Chandelier."
“We have a lot of connections to glass and glass art in various forms,” Tatham said. “We feel like Dale Chihuly and his studio are the best in the world. He’s world-renowned, we’re pleased to be partnering with him and showcasing that for guests to enjoy.”
‘Chihuly at Biltmore’ gift shop
Guests may take a piece of “Biltmore at Chihuly” home by purchasing souvenirs from the studio and estate, plus original glass pieces from the artist and studio in the exhibit gift shop.
Chihuly Studio merchandise includes sculptures, glassware, garden décor and more.
Tickets for “Chihuly at Biltmore”
Exhibition tickets are $30 for annual passholders, prices are subject to change.
A Biltmore ticket including admission to the Chihuly exhibit ranges depending on the season. From March 25-May 23 tickets begin at $125; May 24-Nov. 1, tickets begin at $115; and Nov. 2-Jan. 5 tickets begin at $145.
A “Chihuly at Biltmore” package or Biltmore House & Chihuly Exhibition combination tickets are available for overnight guests at one of the estate’s hotel properties.
Chihuly at Biltmore Dinner Series
On March 29, April 27 and May 18, the Chihuly at Biltmore Dinner Series will be hosted at the estate.
Tickets include sparkling and Biltmore wines and hors d’oeuvres reception with strolling musicians outside at the Deerpark Pavilion. Then, guests will embark on a special viewing of the exhibit followed by a premium three-course plated dinner paired with Biltmore wines and a Chihuly at Biltmore-themed dessert.
The event and menu will be the same for all three dining experiences.
The attire is dressy casual-semiformal.
Chihuly at Biltmore
Where: Biltmore Estate, 1 Lodge St., Asheville.
When: March 25-Jan. 5.
Info: For tickets, visit biltmore.com or call (877) BILTMORE. Day passes or annual membership passes are required to access the estate's grounds. Biltmore’s spring annual pass sale runs through April 30 for an annual pass discounted to $209 (regular price $299) for a savings of $90.
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Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: 'Chihuly at Biltmore' exhibit opens at Biltmore Estate: What to know
