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Dale Chihuly’s Tower at the Orlando Museum of Art
When I found out glass was fluid and always flowing towards gravity, it made me feel like I was stagnant. However, with age, we all realize we are all melting a little from gravitational pull, after all we are molecules in motion. But when we see the works of artist Dale Chihuly or of the great stain glass works by Louis Comfort Tiffany we easily see how when heated glass, simply made of sand, flows in the artist’s hands can be cajoled into beautiful colors and shapes, even exquisite scenes.
Tiffany stain glass at the Morse Museum (Via Trip Advisor)
Both of these artists works are readily available to be admired at The Orlando Museum of Art and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of Art. At OMA the Chihuly rises up towards the sky as a centerpiece in the entrance of the museum. Tiffany’s works along with many others are the focus of the Morse Museum of Art which has the largest collection of Tiffany in the world! We are exceedingly fortunate that we have this exceptional collection of decorative arts here in Central Florida.
The history of how the Morse family came to some of the most remarkable works of Tiffany is in itself worth the visit to this museum. The Cathedral was saved because of philanthropic initiative and a vision to preserve. Today it is here in Winter Park and a precious gift to all of us living here. When visitors come to Orlando from dense cities like New York where all forms of art prevail, I bring them to this museum and they are always surprised at the breath of Tiffany’s works that resides here.
Montage of Contributed Photos from Trip Advisor about the Morse Museum
As a contrast to Tiffany whose art is known as decorative enhancements to architecture, decades later Chihuly’s glass is known for the natural environmental of the outdoors. Within about a month in the same year I was so lucky to see Chihuly’s work displayed within two diverse environments. One was at Fairchild’s Gardens in Coral Gables, where globes of glass floated in ponds and stalks of crimson, yellow, and gold glass grew from the ground reaching towards the Florida sky along with green plants that make up these tropical gardens. The other was in Pittsburgh at the Phipps during a thick snowfall, the glass resembled icicles sharp and cold, jutting out from the soft cottony ground but not incongruent at all. Glass, has that remarkable way to be what it needs to be when it needs to be compatible.
Chihuly at Fairchild Gardens in Coral Gables
But how do we relate to glass within our homes? They can be used architecturally to decorate like the stain glass of Tiffany or simply bring the outside in, while protecting us from the outdoor elements. I remember fondly that as a child my brother and I would sit by the window counting the seconds from a lightning strike to the thunderous sound judging the storm’s distance. Was the storm coming closer or moving away? There is no doubt that windows are an essential piece of architecture for a home. A large window to a beautiful outdoor area expands the home you are living in and there is no price to the joy when connecting with the outdoors without the burden of heat or cold, rain or snow, and extreme weather conditions. Recently builders have had problems getting windows in a timely manner because of supply chain disruption and homeowners have had to wait to move into their new homes. The answer for many builders is to standardize for production-sake, but if you can customize and wait, it is worth it. The expression ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ can be made with simply a window opening to a picturesque outdoor area. It brings a priceless value to your home.
Terminal C at the Orlando International Airport
Recently, the long-awaited Terminal C opened at the Orlando International Airport (MCO). Airport Terminals generally have large expanses of windows allowing the travelers to see the jets lined up and watch them taking to flight. At Terminal C, the architects designed areas of colored glass on these windows to the world of flight, with sweeping streaks of blues reminiscent of speed and sky. This small touch is an artful addition to this beautiful new structure.
You too can enhance your windows. Add a decorative stain glass from an antique shop or pick up from many of the year-round arts festivals crystals or glass mobiles to hang in front of the windows. The clear glass of your window beckons to allow glass art to collect light and in 60’s genre “Let the Sunshine In”. After all, Florida is the Sunshine State, and I am here to help you get that sunshine into your life!
