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Delight

Architectural Review, The, July, 2005 by Lynne Jackson

THE LANDSCAPE AND GLASSHOUSES OF KEW GARDENS ARE TRANSFORMED BY DALE CHIHULY'S SITE-SPECIFIC SCULPTURES.

For the next few months, the exotic flora in Kew Gardens, west London, has some very stiff competition in the form of American artist Dale Chihuly's installation of 25 vividly-coloured, spectacular glass sculptures. Nestling among the palms in the Temperate House, a small group of lime green trumpets stretches up towards the sunlight, ready to catch any raindrops from the overhead foliage. Close by, a bunch of bright yellow leaves looks totally at home floating on the surface of a small pool, offering landing pads for passing insects. Luscious clumps of fantastic green grass have sprouted as if after a storm in the desert. And among giant waterlily pads, the tall blue and white necks of some strange water creatures gently arc and swirl above the pink blooms. Brightly coloured floats bob on the surface of the Palm House lake, although resident ducks seem unperturbed by the invasion.

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But not all of Chihuly's pieces look quite so passive and comfortable among their neighbours at Kew: a giant Sun comprising 1000 spiralling tentacles towers over you like a huge Medusa's head, writhing chandeliers hang from the ceilings of the hot houses, a string of huge balloons tumbles towards you in the Temperate House, and a small boat explodes with baubles and streamers.

Gardens of Glass: Chihuly at Kew until 15 January 2006: www.kew.org/chihuly