Last year, I went to Oklahoma City and saw an exhibit in the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. I was so impressed with this permanent exhibit and the artist that I went again this year. Dale Chihuly works with glass, different sizes, shapes, colors and textures. He blows the glass by hand into a pre-determined size, shape, color, etc.Chihuly himself worked with the OKCMOA in setting up this permanent display. The key to the beauty of this particular exhibit is the lighting. Strategically placed lights permeate the exhibit, flooding the rooms with multi-colored lights as they streak through the glass. In one particular part of this exhibit, the glass is placed above the viewer on a plexiglass plate (or several plates) along a narrow walkway. Lights beam down through the pieces of glass giving the viewer an underwater effect. It was very nice and as I mentioned, worth seeing more than once.
Many of his pieces are visible in the most obscure places. One night, afte
r viewing the exhibit for the first time, I was watching the TV show “Frasier”. One of my favorite shows; first because it’s set in Seattle and secondly because it’s smart comedy….not the usual mundane sitcom stuff that plagues TV. Anyway, as I watched Frasier interact with others inside his apartment, in the background on a pedestal is a familiar sight. I spotted a Chihuly vase, a green one flecked with various colors on the outside and lined with red inside. Suddenly, I began to notice Chihuly-like pieces everywhere.
r viewing the exhibit for the first time, I was watching the TV show “Frasier”. One of my favorite shows; first because it’s set in Seattle and secondly because it’s smart comedy….not the usual mundane sitcom stuff that plagues TV. Anyway, as I watched Frasier interact with others inside his apartment, in the background on a pedestal is a familiar sight. I spotted a Chihuly vase, a green one flecked with various colors on the outside and lined with red inside. Suddenly, I began to notice Chihuly-like pieces everywhere.This year’s trip to Oklahoma City focused a little more on the area known as Bricktown. Most towns have an industrial area that’s been abandoned. Many cities have tried some type of revitalization efforts to bring extra revenue but OKC has succeeded in this attempt. Bricktown is the run-down abandoned warehouse or industrial area turned tourist trap; and quite successful at that. I went with my friend Charles this year and we saw people from all over. There were even a lot of people from OKC in Bricktown.
Almost immediately upon arrival we ran into a group of young girls 
who were trying to get his attention. I kept hearing them say, “Sir,….Sir…..Sir.” Finally, I said, “I think they are talking to you.” So we stopped and acknowledged them. This group of girls was from a local church and they were on a treasure hunt. One of the items they had to get was a digital picture of at least one of them rubbing a bald man’s head and they asked Charles if he would indulge. Being a good sport, he laughed and said yes…he even knelt for them to get easier access since he’s about six and a half feet tall.
who were trying to get his attention. I kept hearing them say, “Sir,….Sir…..Sir.” Finally, I said, “I think they are talking to you.” So we stopped and acknowledged them. This group of girls was from a local church and they were on a treasure hunt. One of the items they had to get was a digital picture of at least one of them rubbing a bald man’s head and they asked Charles if he would indulge. Being a good sport, he laughed and said yes…he even knelt for them to get easier access since he’s about six and a half feet tall.Until next time, I’ll tell you why I’m now traumatized by emu.
Photographs are copyright 2008 Lisa Jackson Duke
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