Artist Dale Chihuly to attend official opening of Chihuly at the Salk April 24, 2010

April 6, 2010

Artist Dale Chihuly to attend official opening of Chihuly at the Salk April 24, 2010

Weeklong, public installation to include sculptures by the renowned artist in celebration of the Salk Institute's 50th Anniversary

April 6, 2010

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 and 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 at 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

About the Salk Institute for Biological Studies:
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is one of the world’s preeminent basic research institutions, where internationally renowned faculty probe fundamental life science questions in a unique, collaborative, and creative environment. Focused both on discovery and on mentoring future generations of researchers, Salk scientists make groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of cancer, aging, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and infectious diseases by studying neuroscience, genetics, cell and plant biology, and related disciplines.

Faculty achievements have been recognized with numerous honors, including Nobel Prizes and memberships in the National Academy of Sciences. Founded in 1960 by polio vaccine pioneer Jonas Salk, M.D., the Institute is an independent nonprofit organization and architectural landmark.