Chihuly Jerusalem 2000

Rating:
Summary: A clash of the ages
Review: The mystical beauty of Dale Chihuly's glass sculptures unfolds in breathtaking arrays of color and light amid the ancient ramparts of Jerusalem's Tower of David. The 2,000-year-old citadel, one of the few legacies of a legendary age, is as compelling to the eye as are the modern artworks for which it serves as a contrasting backdrop.

Having been fortunate enough to attend this exhibition in the flesh, I can verify that any photographic reproduction of Chihuly's work cannot dream of attaining an equal effect to the translucent apparitions they depict in but two of their three dimensions. Nevertheless, the photos, often shot from dazzling angles which the eyes of visitors like myself could not have conjured, do as much justice to the sculptures as their technology makes possible.

Apart from photographs galore, the book contains Chihuly's preliminary sketches. These offer a dynamic perspective of the work in progress, and are indispensable for any serious enthusiast. Detailed annotations by the master himself complement the collection and make this book into more than just a coffee-table read.