Hi Fodor Travelers,
I'm in the Seattle-Tacoma area for the weekend. I've interested in visiting the Museum of Glass in Tacoma for some time, but know that the new Chihuly Garden & Glass has recently opened in Seattle. Wondering if anyone can shed light on the differences between the two (besides additional artists at the Tacoma museum) and if you had a preference?
Thanks.
Museum of Glass or Chihuly Garden & Glass
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The MoG is much more about the practice and range of art glass creation; the Chihuly exhibit at Seattle Center is, of course, just about Chihuly's work. The hot shop (active glass blowing/casting) is the big draw at the MoG. IMO the Chihuly exhibit is flashy and far more colorful than the Tacoma museum, but less educational. Personally I prefer the MoG, but understand the draw of the Seattle site. (I agree with a local newspaper columnist who calls it the "Chihuly Self Aggrandizement Exhibit and Garden.")
The Chihuly Glass and Garden fits well as a Baroque extravaganza next to the Frank Gehry building.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/sets/72157623130435790/show/with/8188806665/
We visited both last month and I concur with Gardyloo's description of the two experiences. If I were to choose only one I'd probably pick the MoG. The hot shop was fascinating. I thought the tickets for the garden & glass exhibit were a little on the pricey side ($19 or $20 each?)
There has been a Chihuly Glass and Garden exhibit at the Dallas Arboretum for the last couple of months. It has gotten such great reviews and attendance they have extended the exhibition for another month.
We just visited the Chihuly Garden & Glass Museum in Seattle. Agreed, this guy is one of the more egregious promoters in the art world, but it hard not to like his bravado. The pieces were dramatic, the colors were eye popping, and the presentation most effective. If you're in Seattle, hop on the monorail and see it!
I saw the Chihuly Garden & Glass in SEA recently and loved it. I know that Dale isn't well liked, but his art is AMAZING! If I had that kind of talent, I'd probably be "difficult" too. That aside, it is a wonderful display of all the various types of glass that his studio produces. Just breathtaking. Also, quite easy to see in a couple of hours while in SEA. If you are going to be in both cities, then I would see both. I wouldn't make a special trip from SEA to TAC just for the MoG. BTW: the small cafe at the SEA exhibit is wonderful for lunch.
I've only seen photos, have not gotten there in person yet, but to me it seemed the Garden & Glass is just that. As much about how the glass art fits into the architecture of the building, the lighting in the garden outdoor spaces, etc. The overall effect appeared pretty spectacular in the photos.
I've been to both recently. If you have the time, it's worth a trip to Tacoma to the Museum of Glass. However, there is very little of Chihuly's work there--it's actually on a street overpass called the "Bridge of Glass." I found the works designed by children to be charming and watching the "hot shop" at work was interesting. There is a video online also.
If you want to see the real extravaganza of what can be done with glass, go to the Seattle exhibit. It's overwhelming. Be sure to watch their videos. Dale himself is not doing glass anymore but directs his assistants. Still, the sheer scope of what he/they have done is just breathtaking.
If I had to choose, I'd choose Seattle.