Chihuly at The New York Botanical Garden June 25-October 29, 2006

Chihuly at The New York Botanical Garden June 25-October 29, 2006

NEW YORK, June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York Botanical Garden is the glorious setting this summer for a breathtaking exhibition of Dale Chihuly's sculpture, which explores the visual relationship of glass and nature. "Chihuly at The New York Botanical Garden," presented by Target, is the first major display of Chihuly's art in the New York area, showcasing his sculptures among the Botanical Garden's premier plant collections and vistas. The show runs from June 25 through October 29, 2006. Tickets and parking must be purchased in advance through Ticketmaster.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060623/NYF075 )

Art meets nature in Dale Chihuly's dramatic installations at the Botanical Garden. The main location is the landmark Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, itself a historic glass structure, which enhances Chihuly's organic shapes and brilliant colors beautifully. A 20-foot-tall tower of glass weighing over 4,000 pounds, the "Rose Crystal Tower," greets visitors at the Conservatory entrance.

An intriguing variety of monumental sculptures made from thousands of hand-blown glass parts dazzle visitors throughout the galleries of America's premier glasshouse. A 25-foot-tall "Palm Dome Tower" sculpture rises from the Conservatory's reflecting pool, surrounded by living palms. Chihuly's delicate "Ikebana" forms enliven the pool of the Aquatic Plants and Vines Gallery.

The Conservatory courtyards offer an especially rich combination of art and nature. Glass forms-"Blue Herons," "Niijima Floats," onion-shaped "Walla Wallas," a "Blue Boat" full of indigo and lavender pieces, and a "Yellow Boat" overflowing with amber and orange glass-float in the elegant pools among exotic waterlilies and colorful lotus. A special highlight in the courtyards is Dale Chihuly's first-ever "Neon Tower," a 20-foot-tall spire in two shades of green. The Neon Tower is an impressive feat of art and engineering using over half a mile of neon tubing. The tubing was imported from Italy, specially engineered in Brooklyn, N.Y., and shaped, designed, and built in Seattle before being disassembled, shipped cross-country, and reassembled and installed at The New York Botanical Garden.

In the Conservatory's Deserts of the Americas Gallery, a "Persian Chandelier" hangs 30 feet overhead with "Neodymium Reeds" and a "Basket Forest" beneath, and a stunning "Desert Star" floats above equally spiky euphorbias in the Deserts of Africa Gallery. In the Seasonal Galleries, a multi-colored "Polyvitro Chandelier" is suspended above a pool bordered by colorful coleus plants in a vivid array of hues specially selected by the Botanical Garden's Horticulture staff for this exhibition. Brightly colored "Neodymium Twisted Reeds" mingle with equally bright cannas throughout the length of the gallery, leading back to the Conservatory entrance.

Visitors can also see Chihuly installations at other locations across the Botanical Garden, including a massive "Sun" sculpture set in the reflecting pool of the Leon Levy Visitor Center, "Fiddlehead Ferns" and "Polyvitro Crystals" in the Everett Children's Adventure Garden, a "Macchia Forest" in the Bourke-Sullivan Display House of the Nolen Greenhouses for Living Collections, and "Cobalt Fiori," "Reeds," and "Floats" at the entrance to the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden.

Chihuly Nights featuring the Waterlily Concert Series

On three special Thursday evenings -- July 13, 20, and 27 -- visitors can enjoy the Chihuly exhibition from 6-8:30 p.m. and experience the sculptures dramatically lit in evening light. Chihuly Nights cost $25 and include a delightful concert of classical music. Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be available for purchase. Tickets and parking for Chihuly Nights must be purchased in advance through Ticketmaster.

Generous support for the Waterlily Concerts has been provided by Vivian and

Edward Merrin. Co-produced with 96.3 FM WQXR

Shop in the Garden

Shop in the Garden features a special display of "Studio Edition Glass" by Dale Chihuly available for purchase. In addition, throughout the run of the Chihuly exhibition a variety of collectors will be on hand to assist visitors in the Shop, a rare opportunity to explore a remarkable artist's work in an extraordinary setting and to purchase art glass with expert guidance. Also available are "Original Limited Edition Prints" by Chihuly, as well as books, posters, and notecards. All purchases at Shop in the Garden, including that of Chihuly artwork, support the Botanical Garden's pursuit of excellence in horticulture, science, and education.

More to Experience at the Botanical Garden

While viewing the Chihuly exhibition, visitors are encouraged to explore The New York Botanical Garden's 250 acres of beautiful gardens and collections and its full array of educational, scientific, and horticultural exhibitions and programs. Tram tours depart regularly throughout the day. The whole family can enjoy the Everett Children's Adventure Garden, where children can create a Chihuly-inspired art project and draw a picture of their favorite Chihuly sculpture, and the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden. A wide range of Continuing Education classes is also available.

Please visit www.nybg.org for updates and a full schedule of events as you plan your visit.

Ticket and Parking Procedures during "Chihuly at The New York Botanical
Garden"

Admission prices:
Adults $20, Seniors/Students $18, Children (2-12 years) $5
Advance purchase of timed tickets through Ticketmaster required
Visit Ticketmaster.com or call 212.220.0503

Parking is extremely limited and must be purchased in advance through Ticketmaster when you order timed tickets. Use of Metro-North or subway is strongly recommended, especially on weekends. The New York Botanical Garden, at Bronx River Parkway and Fordham Road, is easy to reach via Metro-North direct to Botanical Garden Station. On-site parking during the show is valet only ($20 per vehicle) and must be purchased in advance through Ticketmaster with timed tickets. Off-site parking ($13 per vehicle) must also be purchased in advance; free shuttle bus service is provided from areas not within walking distance to the Botanical Garden.

Presented by Target

Major support from Jack and Susan Rudin

Exhibitions in the Conservatory have been made possible by the late Enid A.

Haupt.

Media Contacts: Nick Leshi or Maria Izquierdo 718.817.8616. Images available.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060623/NYF075
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN8
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: The New York Botanical Garden

CONTACT: Nick Leshi or Maria Izquierdo, +1-718-817-8616

Web site: http://www.nybg.org/

-------
Profile: intent