Chihuly brings glasswork to VMFA | News

The Virginia Museum welcomed one of the world's most famous glassblowers to town Wednesday.

Dale Chihuly's work has been shown around the world, everywhere from the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas and Salt Lake Olympics to the Louvre in Paris and Tower of David in Jerusalem. His exhibit opens at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Saturday.

The artist himself gave the media a tour of the exhibit, including the massive Laguna Torcello made up of hundreds of pieces and crafted just for this installation.

"A piece like that you could probably work on forever, moving things around," Chihuly said.

He has moved blown glass into the mainstream, creating beautiful pieces ever since he studied with Venetian masters more than 40 years ago.

"I could have blown glass with them, but they were so much better than me that I felt it was more important to watch," he explained. "Sometimes watching is more important than doing."

Though he lost sight in one eye during a car crash and hurt his shoulder body surfing, his team of 90 in his factory continues to create amazing pieces and reach new audiences around the world.

"I hope they take away something that excites them and perhaps that makes them feel good. I hope they take something away."

The exhibit runs through February 10.

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