April 6, 2010
Weeklong, public installation to include sculptures by the renowned artist in celebration of the Salk Institute's 50th Anniversary
Weeklong, public installation to include sculptures by the renowned artist in celebration of the Salk Institute's 50th Anniversary
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies today confirmed the attendance of Dale Chihuly for the official opening of Chihuly at the Salk on April 24 in La Jolla, Calif. The Seattle-based artist will be available for media interviews beginning at 10 a.m. The outdoor installation of dramatically colorful glass sculptures kicks off the Institute’s 50th anniversary with daily tours April 22-27.
To commemorate the celebratory event, the artist created a poster that depicts one of his most-recognized sculptures (The Sun) flanked by the Institute’s iconic buildings. The work serves as an installation-specific symbol of the collaboration between Chihuly and the Salk Institute.
“This fusion of extraordinary scientific, architectural and artistic creativity is indicative of the true spirit of our founder, Jonas Salk,” said Salk Institute President William R. Brody. “We are pleased that Dale will join us to share this unique experience as we celebrate our anniversary. And we are deeply appreciative of the generous sponsorship of Joan and Irwin M. Jacobs that made this exhibit possible.”
The event is open to the public for day and some evening guided tours ($15/ticket). The artwork will be positioned throughout the grounds of the Salk Institute (designed by famed American architect Louis Kahn), marking the first time a Chihuly installation has ever been displayed at a working research institution.
Chihuly’s The Sun y White Tower are among the largest sculptures that will be set against the Institute’s austere, angular buildings and courtyard overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and in the adjacent eucalyptus grove. Other Chihuly series works on display will include Niijima Floats, large spheres–up to 40 inches in diameter and approximately 60 pounds–with surfaces richly colored in gold and silver leaf and foil; and Chandeliers, large hanging sculptures assembled from hundreds of colorful, tentacle-like glass components, among others.
“I always look for great places to install my artwork – environments that are interesting, beautiful and have a great architectural feel,” Chihuly said. “The stark visually powerful architecture of the Salk Institute is just one of those kinds of places where I know my artwork and the architecture are going to come together just right.”
An April 25 noon-2 p.m. lecture and book signing with Dale Chihuly ($50/ticket) includes optional self-guided tours starting at 11 a.m. The lecture and signing will take place in the Salk Institute’s Frederic de Hoffmann Auditorium, with limited tickets available. The artist will discuss some of his most significant installations from around the world and touch on the installation at the Salk and the landmark architecture that inspired it. A 15-minute Q&A session will follow.
Chihuly has led the avant-garde in the development of glass as a fine art. His work is included in more than 200 museum collections worldwide. Chihuly has created many well-known series of works, among them the Baskets, Persians, and Seaforms, but he is also celebrated for large architectural installations.
All guided public tours for Chihuly at the Salk are $15 per visitor; lecture and book signing is $50. Tickets can be purchased online en www.salk.edu/chihuly or by calling 858-597-0657. The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is located at 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA.
Chihuly at the Salk Schedule
Tours run every 15 minutes and last approximately 1 hour.
Installation Tours: April 22-23, 9 a.m.-noon and 2-5 p.m.; $15
Regular Tours: April 24: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; $15
Regular and Evening Tours: April 26-27, 9 a.m.-noon, 2-6 p.m., and 7-9 p.m.; $15
Public Lecture/Book Signing: April 25, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; $50
Acerca del Instituto Salk de Estudios Biológicos:
El Instituto Salk de Estudios Biológicos es una de las instituciones de investigación básica más destacadas del mundo, donde un cuerpo docente de prestigio internacional investiga cuestiones fundamentales de las ciencias de la vida en un entorno único, colaborativo y creativo. Centrados tanto en el descubrimiento como en la formación de las futuras generaciones de investigadores, los científicos del Salk realizan contribuciones revolucionarias a nuestra comprensión del cáncer, el envejecimiento, el Alzheimer, la diabetes y las enfermedades infecciosas mediante el estudio de la neurociencia, la genética, la biología celular y vegetal, y otras disciplinas relacionadas.
Los logros del cuerpo docente han sido reconocidos con numerosos galardones, entre los que se incluyen premios Nobel y la pertenencia a la Academia Nacional de Ciencias. Fundado en 1960 por el Dr. Jonas Salk, pionero en la vacuna contra la poliomielitis, el Instituto es una organización independiente sin fines de lucro y un hito arquitectónico.
Oficina de Comunicaciones
Tel.: (858) 453-4100
press@salk.edu
