July Issue 1999
Dale Chihuly Returns to the Jerald Melberg Gallery - Charlotte
As those familiar with past news
releases from the Jerald Melberg Gallery know, Jerald Melberg
is always proud to announce a new addition to the stellar group
of nationally recognized artists represented by the gallery. He
is equally proud to host exhibitions of new work by one of his
outstanding artists. In announcing the return of world-renowned
glass artist Dale Chihuly to the Jerald Melberg Gallery in Charlotte,
NC, for the exhibition Dale Chihuly: New Work, opening
July 24 and continuing through Oct. 2, his feeling certainly borders
on ecstasy.
"As the exclusive gallery representative of Mr. Chihuly's work in North and South Carolina, I was overjoyed when I first heard the Mint Museum of Craft + Design was hosting a major retrospective of his work," admitted Melberg.
Tens of thousands of Chihuly fans are expected to tour the Mint Museum's Dale Chihuly: Installations and Dale Chihuly: New Work at the Jerald Melberg Gallery, both opening simultaneously on July 24. Many people will fall in love with the exotic shapes bathed in prismatic hues, capable of transforming a room into an otherworldly realm of pleasure.
"Dale Chihuly's large-scale blown glass works, sculpture and site-specific installations create a sense of wonder and excitement," stated Melberg. "His popularity has exploded in recent years to the point that his exhibitions are drawing crowds that rival other blockbuster museum shows."
On display and for sale in the Jerald Melberg Gallery will be glass made in just the last few months at Chihuly's Boathouse Studio in Seattle. In fact, most of the works were made especially for the exhibition. Included are Macchias, Seaform sets, Persian sets, Chandeliers and two major wall Sconces in dazzling colors - cadmium red, cobalt blue, plum violet. Chihuly fans can find his latest work at the Jerald Melberg Gallery.
"Chihuly broke with the tradition
of symmetrical glass by designing organic-looking vessels that
resemble huge clamshells or flower petals," said Melberg.
"His work suggests movement, capturing the shape of the molten
flow of the medium. As an artist, he never seems happier than
when he's pushing the glass envelope past all imaginable limits."
"Dale Chihuly's glass is in the permanent collection of museums ranging from the National Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto, Japan, to the National Museum of American Art in Washington, DC, to the Palais du Louvre, Paris," pointed out Melberg. "He is a glass virtuoso who attracts the serious collector as well as admirers of his work to any gallery show."
"Imagine, if you will," continued Melberg, "that you are sitting in the meeting with PBS television programming officials to determine the subject for the nation's first broadcast in HDTV (high definition television). What topic would best demonstrate the color and depth of this new technological development in television history? What would capture the viewers' imagination and attention? The PBS answer was Chihuly Over Venice, first broadcast on November 9, 1998." This special program will be aired again statewide in South Carolina and in the Charlotte, North Carolina viewing area at 9 p.m. Friday, July 9, 1999.
Chihuly arrives in Charlotte following the July premiere of a major installation for the Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem, where his glass sculptures seek to pay homage to the three religions associated with the ancient city - Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
To celebrate Dale Chihuly's exhibitions at the Jerald Melberg Gallery and the Mint Museum of Craft + Design, the Jerald Melberg Gallery opening will be a gala fundraiser to benefit the new museum. On Friday, July 23 from 7 - 9 p.m. for $40 per person, attendees will have the opportunity to meet the artist and preview the exhibition. Because the gallery is underwriting the cost of the event, the admission charge is totally tax deductible.
Each of the Chihuly works displayed at the gallery will be for sale. The exhibition may be viewed free of charge July 24 through Oct. 2 during regular gallery hours.
For further information check our NC Commercial Gallery listings
or call the gallery at 704/365-3000.
Mailing Address: Carolina Arts, P.O. Drawer 427, Bonneau, SC
29431
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