From the Outside Looking in at Chihuly Sculpture, Benaroya Hall

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

This is a detail of one of two enormous suspended sculptures (3 tons apiece) created by studio glass artist and designer Dale Chihuly and installed in the lobby of Benaroya Hall, home of the Seattle Symphony. They are similar, yet different in form, about 5 feet across and 25 feet long. The sculptures depict sea life, and here you can see details of kelp and glass floats (I think. . .strictly my interpretation). The lobby is two stories tall, a block long, and is sheathed in floor to ceiling glass, so these works are perfect for the space. I always think of Medusa when I see the spirals of kelp. . .they look snake like. Chihuly is the most famous studio glass artist in the Pacific Northwest, and his works can be found in commercial spaces, museums and private collections all over the world.