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News & ArtsWednesday, March 10, 2010
Visual Art Pictures of the Chihuly Museum
Posted by Jen Graves on Wed, Mar 10, 2010 at 11:59 AM
Last week on Slog I wrote about a big proposed Chihuly museum that would sit next to the Space Needle. Yesterday there was a press conference about it, and I'm going to write more about that later today. But first—lay your eyes on images of the proposal.
And here's my take in the paper this week.
Basically, I'm not convinced. Maybe I'm wrong in thinking I ought to be convinced—in holding the project close to the standards I'd hold a museum to. I want to be convinced by the art, and the artist—and he came to the press conference, but didn't take any public questions. I'm told I'll be able to interview him privately by phone. Maybe I'll get a better idea there of his responses to some of the questions that have come up about why he wants to do this here and now, and what he plans to do. Until then, I'm with Norie Sato: Where's the big artistic idea that makes this better than open green space? Because while some glass elements will be visible from the exterior, you have to pay to see pretty much all the glass (I spoke to the architect, who did take questions yesterday)—even the outdoor displays.
In any case, here are the pictures from the dog-and-pony show...
Oh, and it seems like a done deal, folks. At least that was my impression. Chihuly's parting words were, "It's gonna happen fast—I know that much." They'd like to see it open next spring (2011).
- Chihuly and Space Needle CEO Ron Sevart
1
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No Goddamn Dale Chihuly!
He's already GOT a museum, in Tacoma! And his art is FUCKING HIDEOUS! It's a tax scam! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
No Goddamn Dale Chihuly!
He's already GOT a museum, in Tacoma! And his art is FUCKING HIDEOUS! It's a tax scam! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
3
All the online commenters at the PI and Times hate it too.
But the Council seems to want to give the finger to the Citizens who want a park there, and keep serving their non-citizen corporate masters ...
But the Council seems to want to give the finger to the Citizens who want a park there, and keep serving their non-citizen corporate masters ...
4
sally.bagshaw@seattle.gov
tim.burgess@seattle.gov
sally.clark@seattle.gov
richard.conlin@seattle.gov
jean.godden@seattle.gov
bruce.harrell@seattle.gov
nick.licata@seattle.gov
mike.obrien@seattle.gov
tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov
TELL THEM TO VOTE NO.
tim.burgess@seattle.gov
sally.clark@seattle.gov
richard.conlin@seattle.gov
jean.godden@seattle.gov
bruce.harrell@seattle.gov
nick.licata@seattle.gov
mike.obrien@seattle.gov
tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov
TELL THEM TO VOTE NO.
8
Glass vs Grass vs Games...
I couldn't be more disappointed with the direction the Seattle Center is taking. This glass museum would replace the covered indoor arcade building that has 3 rides for small kids and other arcade and video games for older kids. I've gone there many times with my niece and nephew and they have a blast. Sure it's hoaky, but it's FUN.
There are plenty of places to kick a ball around on grass in Seattle. Doing more of that at the Seattle Center is not going to make lasting memories. And the kids want to be near the Fountain anyway.
And both kids and adults would have little use for this glass museum when there is already one in Tacoma.
I understand the outdoor rides are going away, which is really sad. But why the indoors stuff too?
Why is Seattle so opposed to having fun?
I couldn't be more disappointed with the direction the Seattle Center is taking. This glass museum would replace the covered indoor arcade building that has 3 rides for small kids and other arcade and video games for older kids. I've gone there many times with my niece and nephew and they have a blast. Sure it's hoaky, but it's FUN.
There are plenty of places to kick a ball around on grass in Seattle. Doing more of that at the Seattle Center is not going to make lasting memories. And the kids want to be near the Fountain anyway.
And both kids and adults would have little use for this glass museum when there is already one in Tacoma.
I understand the outdoor rides are going away, which is really sad. But why the indoors stuff too?
Why is Seattle so opposed to having fun?
9
Soo, the entire thing will be made of glass?
Can't wait to see how quickly holes get punched in the roof by people tossing pennies off the observation deck of the Space Needle.
Not that I'm advocating throwing anything hard at a glass object, but you know the old saying about bricks and glass museums, no?
Can't wait to see how quickly holes get punched in the roof by people tossing pennies off the observation deck of the Space Needle.
Not that I'm advocating throwing anything hard at a glass object, but you know the old saying about bricks and glass museums, no?
10
absolutely totally favor open space over a museum, especially a museum devoted to ONE person who produces art that few can afford or few actually like.
pretty outraged. People say Seattle is a "green" city. Green in the sense that it is supposed to have open spaces and trees. I see precious little recent devotion to that ideal lately.
pretty outraged. People say Seattle is a "green" city. Green in the sense that it is supposed to have open spaces and trees. I see precious little recent devotion to that ideal lately.
11
While I find it easy to believe that people in general (and especially on the city council) are this fucking stupid, Chihuly is still a gasbag. I'll believe it when I see it.
Chihuly's parting words were, "It's gonna happen fast—I know that much.
While I find it easy to believe that people in general (and especially on the city council) are this fucking stupid, Chihuly is still a gasbag. I'll believe it when I see it.
13
@10, open space is the least-green thing you can have in a city. Density is what makes cities green. Every square foot in a city that's not used for urban purposes is a square mile of actual green in the surrounding rural and forest areas that's going to get paved over by sprawl.
15
1, 8 - I think that's part of the point, that TACOMA has a Chihuly museum, and we don't. That sticks in the craw of certain _ahem_ influential Seattleites. They probably figure that there's enough open space at the Center already.
New! Shiny! Expensive! (not-for-the-masses) It's ARRRT! (so-we-can-feel-good-about-ourselves)
Tentacle-y!!
New! Shiny! Expensive! (not-for-the-masses) It's ARRRT! (so-we-can-feel-good-about-ourselves)
Tentacle-y!!
16
@8 I think the arcade could have been much better run and been a better asset to the Center if they promoted it. Throw theme nights for teens, maybe partner with the Vera project to create a stage for free show by teens. This city is primarily friendly to downtown businesses and suburban-minded parents. Anyone that wants to have fun should look elsewhere.
The museum is a horrible idea and I wrote to the Council to express my dislike.
The museum is a horrible idea and I wrote to the Council to express my dislike.
17
This proposal will, of course, require some revisions to The Plan:
The No-Fun Forest.
The Ego Masturbation Project and Self-Love Hall of Fame.
Pacific Arrogance Center.
Self-Centered House.
The Kobe Ham.
Cocky Arena.
Bombastic-shit Self-Reverential Theater.
The Narcissus Rooms.
The Egomaniacal Fountain.
Man-Child's Museum.
Wanker Pavilion.
Megalomania Ampitheater.
The 605 Foot Pink Anodized Aluminum Replica of Dale Chiluly's Micropenis Formerly Known as the Space Needle.
The No-Fun Forest.
The Ego Masturbation Project and Self-Love Hall of Fame.
Pacific Arrogance Center.
Self-Centered House.
The Kobe Ham.
Cocky Arena.
Bombastic-shit Self-Reverential Theater.
The Narcissus Rooms.
The Egomaniacal Fountain.
Man-Child's Museum.
Wanker Pavilion.
Megalomania Ampitheater.
The 605 Foot Pink Anodized Aluminum Replica of Dale Chiluly's Micropenis Formerly Known as the Space Needle.
20
@ Fnarf, so you're in favor of developing Woodland Park, Discovery Park, Magnuson Park, Seward Park, and Lincoln Park? Because goddamn, think of the money you can make if you get in on some of those deals...
21
Dale Chihuly: villainous madman bent on world subjugation through kitsch glass.
His insane designs will be thwarted by a well organized underground with this as their theme song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6gqNCiK-…
His insane designs will be thwarted by a well organized underground with this as their theme song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6gqNCiK-…
24
@ 17 - LOL
@ 23 - Tentacle-y!!! He could suspend The Old One from the ceiling, and it would be Ceiling Cthulhu.
Seattle FTW.
@ 23 - Tentacle-y!!! He could suspend The Old One from the ceiling, and it would be Ceiling Cthulhu.
Seattle FTW.
25
(uh oh... i agree with fnarf. not a good sign)
one local museum devoted to free-form (egotistical) glass art is sufficient.
how about an art gallery that features a rapidly turned over (~one showing/week) art of local small time artists? (i know some-guys that would happily curate such an institution for little more than a good dental program)
one local museum devoted to free-form (egotistical) glass art is sufficient.
how about an art gallery that features a rapidly turned over (~one showing/week) art of local small time artists? (i know some-guys that would happily curate such an institution for little more than a good dental program)
26
God forbid the Seattle Center actually turn a profit.
Look, I think Chihuly is a fuck stain, but last I checked grass doesn't turn a profit unless it's cannabis.
So, unless the city opens an open air pot-patch I would get used to looking at these glass "sculptures."
Look, I think Chihuly is a fuck stain, but last I checked grass doesn't turn a profit unless it's cannabis.
So, unless the city opens an open air pot-patch I would get used to looking at these glass "sculptures."
27
@20, no, I'm not. They're historically established. But I'm against creating more of them, too. And I'll admit, I do think every one of the parks you mention would be improved with a cafe that serves wine and beer and has movable chairs.
28
Fnarf, you're losing it. I don't care what you want to do with the rest of them, but Discovery Park would NOT be improved by a cafe serving drinks.
29
@28, there is no space anywhere on earth that would not be improved by a cafe serving drinks. As long as I get to pick the wine list.
30
No movable chairs in Discovery Park. But otherwise, what a great idea for generating revenue. Mssr. Thornton for City Council!
35
Build the Chihuly Kitcsch House next to the Paul Allen (TM) EMP Blob, and Seattle Center is the new frontrunner to become the new home of the Bad Architecture Hall of Fame.
The only appealing aspect of this proposal is @9's idea to drop pennies off the Space Needle to punch holes in the glass roof.
The only appealing aspect of this proposal is @9's idea to drop pennies off the Space Needle to punch holes in the glass roof.
37
I have nothing productive to add. Here goes anyways:
The Space Needle has a CEO? You could explain to me why that makes sense, but I'm still going to think it sounds fucking weird.
Also, all things considered, Chihuly isn't looking well.
The Space Needle has a CEO? You could explain to me why that makes sense, but I'm still going to think it sounds fucking weird.
Also, all things considered, Chihuly isn't looking well.
38
@34
the architect(s):
http://www.orarchitects.com/index.html
@Fnarf and open space enthusiasts:
Have you read The Death and Life of Great American Cities? It makes some pretty irrefutable arguments in favor cafes and movable chairs over poorly designed urban open space.
the architect(s):
http://www.orarchitects.com/index.html
@Fnarf and open space enthusiasts:
Have you read The Death and Life of Great American Cities? It makes some pretty irrefutable arguments in favor cafes and movable chairs over poorly designed urban open space.
39
Jen, if you get to interview him, ask him when was the last time he actually physically blew glass himself.
40
This is what I sent out this morning to city councilmembers and the mayor.
[Name here],
I am writing to urge you strongly not to approve the Chihuly Glass
Museum in the Seattle Center. The Center already has an oversized
warehouse of one man's shiny collections, and that's Paul Allen's
EMP|SFM. In an age when you can find Chihuly-brand glass nearly
everywhere (I have even seen a collection in the Agricultural Science
building at Pennsylvania State University), a Chihuly-brand glass expo
is hardly the thing that will revive the Seattle Center.
The Seattle Center needs something that both locals and tourists can
share. How about a weekly farmer's market? How about a farmer's market
and a week-round cafe with indoor and outdoor seating that highlights our region's amazing produce by cooking locally-sourced meals?
The Puget Sound region is renowned for having a physically active
populace, who enjoy our natural beauty by hiking, biking,
rock-climbing, sailing, and more. Not only do we all get outside in
the summer, when our weather is incomparable, but we keep at it in the
winter, too. What about filling that space with a rock wall or
bouldering space, tennis courts or basketball courts? What about a
croquet lawn? Have a cottage that sells climbing chalk, tennis balls,
Gatorade or rents climbing shoes, mallets, rackets. Have a weekly
bike-maintenance clinic! Create a space that locals will come to to
continue being physically fit, and that tourists will try their hand
at when coming through Seattle.
I realize that the potential for revenue in the glass museum plan and
the fact that it will take few public funds to build it is very
appealing. But if the last few years can teach us anything, it is that
aparently stable and well-funded organizations like Mr. Chihuly's can
lose their fiscal solvency overnight. The Seattle Center needs
something that will benefit the city if it succeeds, not a for-profit
organization like Mr. Chihuly's. We also need something that will not
become a large, brightly colored albatross around our necks if it
fails.
Best,
[My real name]
More...
[Name here],
I am writing to urge you strongly not to approve the Chihuly Glass
Museum in the Seattle Center. The Center already has an oversized
warehouse of one man's shiny collections, and that's Paul Allen's
EMP|SFM. In an age when you can find Chihuly-brand glass nearly
everywhere (I have even seen a collection in the Agricultural Science
building at Pennsylvania State University), a Chihuly-brand glass expo
is hardly the thing that will revive the Seattle Center.
The Seattle Center needs something that both locals and tourists can
share. How about a weekly farmer's market? How about a farmer's market
and a week-round cafe with indoor and outdoor seating that highlights our region's amazing produce by cooking locally-sourced meals?
The Puget Sound region is renowned for having a physically active
populace, who enjoy our natural beauty by hiking, biking,
rock-climbing, sailing, and more. Not only do we all get outside in
the summer, when our weather is incomparable, but we keep at it in the
winter, too. What about filling that space with a rock wall or
bouldering space, tennis courts or basketball courts? What about a
croquet lawn? Have a cottage that sells climbing chalk, tennis balls,
Gatorade or rents climbing shoes, mallets, rackets. Have a weekly
bike-maintenance clinic! Create a space that locals will come to to
continue being physically fit, and that tourists will try their hand
at when coming through Seattle.
I realize that the potential for revenue in the glass museum plan and
the fact that it will take few public funds to build it is very
appealing. But if the last few years can teach us anything, it is that
aparently stable and well-funded organizations like Mr. Chihuly's can
lose their fiscal solvency overnight. The Seattle Center needs
something that will benefit the city if it succeeds, not a for-profit
organization like Mr. Chihuly's. We also need something that will not
become a large, brightly colored albatross around our necks if it
fails.
Best,
[My real name]
41
@37 it's simple. $17 to get to the top of the needle, and then they sell you shit. This is just a moneymaking venture. Jen Graves shouldn't be covering this, because it isn't art.
42
Fnarf: "Every square foot in a city that's not used for urban purposes is a square mile of actual green in the surrounding rural and forest areas that's going to get paved over by sprawl. "
Some kinds of green space are urban purposes. You need public spaces in a city that allow people to do the things that suburbanites do in their oversized back yards. They have to be planned right so that they actually get used, but every square foot of well-designed urban park means hundreds of square feet of sprawling lawn that's no longer needed in the city, saving an equivalent area in rural and wilderness areas.
This space could be an open green with activities and businesses around it that encourage a mix of people to use the space. To keep a family-friendly space, how about a children's playground (as suggested recently by Goldy at Horse's Ass)? Put that on one side, and put your cafe across the way, and the parents can sit there, drink, and interact with other adults while their children are kept busy within sight. Put a couple of other amenities in (like street food vendors) and the green space transforms from a void to a place that people use going back and forth between the various amenities. Open space definitely shouldn't just be an empty undeveloped lawn, but there's a lot of distance between that and getting rid of any decent outdoor spaces for the public.
Some kinds of green space are urban purposes. You need public spaces in a city that allow people to do the things that suburbanites do in their oversized back yards. They have to be planned right so that they actually get used, but every square foot of well-designed urban park means hundreds of square feet of sprawling lawn that's no longer needed in the city, saving an equivalent area in rural and wilderness areas.
This space could be an open green with activities and businesses around it that encourage a mix of people to use the space. To keep a family-friendly space, how about a children's playground (as suggested recently by Goldy at Horse's Ass)? Put that on one side, and put your cafe across the way, and the parents can sit there, drink, and interact with other adults while their children are kept busy within sight. Put a couple of other amenities in (like street food vendors) and the green space transforms from a void to a place that people use going back and forth between the various amenities. Open space definitely shouldn't just be an empty undeveloped lawn, but there's a lot of distance between that and getting rid of any decent outdoor spaces for the public.
44
@37:
Contrary to what some (including, I presume, you) believe, the Space Needle is privately owned. The architect, financiers and builders retained ownership of the Needle after the Century 21 Exposition. The other partners sold their interest to Howard Wright in the late 1970's, and the Wright family has retained sole ownership ever since under the moniker of The Space Needle Corporation.
Contrary to what some (including, I presume, you) believe, the Space Needle is privately owned. The architect, financiers and builders retained ownership of the Needle after the Century 21 Exposition. The other partners sold their interest to Howard Wright in the late 1970's, and the Wright family has retained sole ownership ever since under the moniker of The Space Needle Corporation.
46
Done right, it could be glorious. But I would insist that every other Chihuly anywhere within a 50 mile radius of it be removed from public view. Forever.
47
Will there be a publicly viewed glass-blowing studio? The one in the Tacoma museum - housed in that crazy giant tilted cone - is part of what makes it worth the trip. This building looks like a greenhouse filled with glass. Really - that's it?
48
Is it just me, or does that guy look like "mad-eyed Moody" for Harry Potter.
Between the HP look and a name that is reminiscent of a Lovecraft character/creature (and knowing little about the guy other than what I've heard here), he seems almost like a pathetic parody.
Between the HP look and a name that is reminiscent of a Lovecraft character/creature (and knowing little about the guy other than what I've heard here), he seems almost like a pathetic parody.
49
The fun forest sucks and is a dumping ground for unemployable gang bangers to work in. Takes 15 of them just to buy the tokens to take to the gate moron gang bangers to take a bone shattering ride for 30 seconds.
51
ass museum
are we that dumb here? another retired crushed purple wives' club? that's the best we can do? i feel like when my dad gets some stupid idea to update his suburban property with an edged lawn or something, uh something or like that. i mean these old farts have a monopoly on any architecture decisions here which all by the way SUCK they are spending money to spend money and it mostly sucks butt
are we that dumb here? another retired crushed purple wives' club? that's the best we can do? i feel like when my dad gets some stupid idea to update his suburban property with an edged lawn or something, uh something or like that. i mean these old farts have a monopoly on any architecture decisions here which all by the way SUCK they are spending money to spend money and it mostly sucks butt
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