Chris Visits: Chihuly at Phipps
It’s really very late to be mentioning that Chihuly thing, but this blog didn’t exist the first time I visited it and I just went back with some relatives. Plus, what with an extension to February 24th, it’s not like you can’t still get in if for some ungodly reason you haven’t yet. So follow along as I quasi-review Chihuly at Phipps and the Phipps remodel.
For the few unfamiliar, Phipps Conservatory partnered with Dale Chihuly (an artist who moonlights as a pirate) to bring blown glass art to their wide variety of plants. This also happens to showcase Phipps’ recent extensive remodeling.
Descending a long, sloping ramp you enter the new welcome center. Above is suspended this large yellowish (the pamphlet they hand you calls it “goldenrod”) chandelier hanging against the typically-gray Pittsburgh sky. To your right, coffee, and to your left, knick-knacks.
The coffee shop of yore has been expanded to serve all sorts of simple fair, as well as to seat a lot more people. The store has been pared back significantly: think less gardening store; more gift shop. I enjoyed the cluttered treasures of the old store, and for my money this is a downgrade.
The central room (brochure says: “Palm Court”) remains largely unchanged with the exception of the tower of blue and yellow blown glass that sits in the middle of it.
“The idea of a Tower just came from looking at one of my Chandeliers and imagining what it would look upside down,” says Chihuly. It’s fairly impressive in size, and at least one woman got way too excited about it while I was there. (”Oh my god! Look at that!” Yes, lady, we’re looking.)
Also nestled strategically in the Palm Court’s assorted palms and fronds are these blown glass flutes and Ikebana - quaint Japanese flower arrangements - which add a nice whimsical air to the otherwise familiar. More after the jump.
Going right, as the signs command, you enter the Serpentine Room. These are supposedly cattails, but they remind me far more of octopus tentacles or perhaps actual serpents. Either way, the effect is a striking one, as the photo above demonstrates.
Next is the Fern Room, adorned with tall red reeds as high as ten feet. According to the brochure these are made by two people: one ascending in a mechanical lift while blowing into the glass, and the other standing on the ground and holding the end.
Despite the incredible effort this is one part of the show that I wasn’t particularly fond of. In the poor light, and among the foliage, the red spires seemed dull and lifeless.
Past the Orchid Room (it contains more Ikebana) and Outdoor Garden (tall pink glass tower) we reach this, the Fiori Sun, in the Stove Room. Very cool looking, this tentacled red and yellow beast dominates the landscape. I want one for my front lawn.
My favorite part of the show lies in the South Conservatory. Where in other years the train runs (supposedly it’s been moved outdoors, but it was freezing and I checked my coat so I didn’t investigate) lies a dark pool surrounded by vegetation where sits this boat laden with beautiful and vibrant glass eggs. It’s breathtakingly surreal.
New to the conservatory is the Tropical Forest. A picture of Thailand’s royal family greets you at the top of a path that winds down and through a simulated Thai jungle where, presumably, a military coup lies in wait.
With lots of rushing water, warm gentle winds, and lush plant-life this display makes me want to take a long vacation to somewhere tropical. It’s a good addition, adding needed variety to Phipp’s usual fare.
I’ll conclude by mentioning that, as promised, Christmas decoration isn’t lacking. The standard Christmas tree has been displaced by an exhibit, but this lovely red display is in the room next door.
More delights lie in the Sunken Garden, the Desert Room, and the East Room (everything is blue!), but I’ll leave that for you to discover. The new remodel is largely a step in the right decoration and Chihuly at Phipps is definitely worth seeing at least once. If you haven’t seen it already, go get yourself some tickets already, you lazy sod.
