Chihuly Garden and Glass near Seattle Space Needle

Quote of the Post: "The glammering glasshouse, glass garden and glowing galleries are the inspiration and masterpiece work of Dale Chihuly in many ways." - Quote about 'CHIHULY GARDEN AND GLASS' in Seattle Center near Space Needle - Sachin Kumar Gupta

Dale Chihuly is already a champion in the field of innovative glass art. He mastered his creative mark with various museums and places around the world. I got chance to visit this unique place during the winters in Seattle. It really adds value and a new landmark to Seattle Center.

CHIHULY GARDEN AND GLASS - Exhibition Hall, Glasshouse and Garden

The artworks demonstrate how he pushed and extend the boundaries of glass as an art medium in concept, execution and presentation. The Exhibition Hall contains eight amazing galleries and three drawing walls in below order of traverse.

Glass Forest: This is the first room as you enter through exhibition hall entrance. It feel like you are in a new galaxy altogether. The glass stalks or stems are arranged in an enclosed space and illuminated with electrically charged neon and argon.

Northwest Room: This room features the glass models of a Tabac Baskets table, wooden shelves with Baskets, Cylinders and Soft Cylinders, Northwest Coast Indian baskets and American Indian trade blankets.

Sealife Room: The art collection seems to be inpired and derived from sea life. Various sea creatures such as starfish, octopus, conch shells, sea anemones, urchins and manta rays are presented along with several Sealife Drawings.

Persian Ceiling: The reflections of smaller shapes nested in larger pieces looks really cool. You are bound to tilt your head up to see this multicolor ceiling.

Mille Fiori: As soon as you take a eye off from Persian ceilings, bunch of “a thousand flowers” will stun you. You don't want to leave this room. People were just gazing this for longer time, and posing all around the room.

Ikebana and Float Boat: This was my favorite room, where reflection of colorful balls and objects filled in two wooden boats. The place seems like you are traveling in space galaxy and group of planets, which have everyone's mouth open. The gallery also includes some praiseworthy Burned Drawings.

Chandeliers: This room presents several Chandeliers and a Tower.

Macchia Forest: This was result of Chihuly's desire to use all 300 colors available to him in the hotshop. It seems like a classic designer's room filled with God's color.

Glammering Glasshouse: The centerpiece of Chihuly Garden and Glass is the Glasshouse, which is visible from the top of Space Needle Observation deck. The installation in the Glasshouse is an expansive 100-foot long sculpture in a color palette of reds, oranges, yellows and amber. This Chihuly structure is sticked with the ceiling of the glasshouse. Private events are being organized at this place sometimes.

Glass Gardens: Chihuly takes his work beyond traditional indoor gallery presentations creating elaborate installations that flow on floors, walls, ceilings and the outdoors. This garden area has glass art lined with trees, plants and flowers. The installations intensify the glory when connected with the natural environment. You can see the Sun, an explosion of yellow and orange at the center of this lush landscape, on a bed of black mondo grass.

Chandelier walkway is another nice piece of art-work that takes you to the theater near the exit.

Theater: I joined other visitors and watched short videos in a state-of-the-art audio visual environment. The Chihuly Garden and Glass Theater presents short videos on Chihuly’s working process—interviews, glassblowing, working onsite doing installations and exhibitions.

Bookstore: Once you exit from theater, that leads you to the connected bookstore where you started. The bookstore offers a variety of books and materials relating to Dale Chihuly’s artworks and projects, including some Studio editions and special designs by the artist.

Some facts about Chihuly Garden and Glass:

• Last ticket sold one hour prior to the below closing time.** Sunday - Thursday 11am – 7pm; Friday & Saturday 11am – 8pm
• Complimentary ear buds are available upon request to listen the enhanced audio tour.**
• The Glasshouse is occasionally closed for private events. Check the site for details.**
• All ticket prices include a free photograph as per your choice of place within compound. You can send this to your family and friends from the touch kiosk, and upload it to Facebook account.**
• The package admission can be combined with the Space Needle visit.** Exhibition Hall, Glasshouse and Garden + Space Needle Observation Deck
• Admission to the exhibition is not required for dining at the Collections Cafe.**
• Re-entry is permitted within two hours from time of exit.**
• Seattle Space Needle is the neighbour landmark. If you are planning to visit the place during your Seattle visit, Address is: Chihuly Garden and Glass, 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109

[**] Check for the latest updates at: http://www.chihulygardenandglass.com

“Drawing really helps me to think about things. I’m able to draw and work with a lot of color and that inspires me.” - Dale Chihuly

“I teach kids they can use any color, any size paper, work any way they want to. There are no boundaries, there are no rules.” - Dale Chihuly

Read More

Stroll across Lake Union Seattle

Quote of the post: "The place for walkers, runners, skaters, cyclists and commuters where people of all ages and groups celebrate Seattle's rich maritime culture." - Quote about Lake Union, Seattle - Sachin Kumar Gupta 

Leaving the Pune (India) Monsoons, yet again arrived to the Emerald city of Seattle in the Summers. Take the break from the hustle and bustle of the city and stroll to Lake Union, a freshwater lake in Seattle joined by waterways to Puget Sound and Lake Washington. This unique gem has many sightseeing parks, gardens and trails in this region. Lake Union Park offers people of all ages and abilities a wide variety of ways to get out on the water and to immerse themselves in Seattle's rich maritime culture. The sight of seaplanes running throughout the day make this place eye-catching, and wouldn't let it away from your eyes. You can enjoy Seattle flight-seeing excursion, or scoot in and out of Lake Union, to the famous places like San Juan Islands, Orcas Island, Blake Island, or British Columbia. Kenmore Air and Seattle Seaplanes have their seaplane base and offers these services.

Lake Union Seattle Map

Lake Union shores are lined up with lovely houseboats colonies, commercial and private docks for owners and renters of tugboats, tour ships, sailboats, kayaks, yatchs, and canoes. Everyone’s favorite chick flick, “Sleepless in Seattle houseboat" can also be cherished. Adore "George Washington Memorial Bridge" while doing any marine activity. Enjoy the views of Downtown Seattle from Lake Union, and admire the Seattle's landmark Space Needle. 

The Gas Works Park site offers grassy hills for kite lovers with its beautiful views of the city. This old  park has tables, fire grills, the children’s play barn, and a picnic shelter. It is the site of former gasification plant with existence of ruins and pieces of old plant. It is the venue for summer concerts and Seattle's major Fourth of July fireworks show. 

Location:  2101 North Northlake Way, at the North end of Lake Union

Other parks ring the lake, clockwise around the compass from Gas Works which is nearly north: North Passage Point Park, South Passage Point Park, Fairview Park, Terry Pettus Park, and South Lake Union Park. A variety of restaurants with cuisine to meet every appetite, shops, salons and a maritime museum are available here. Chandlers Cove, Daniel's Broiler, Duke's, Joey, BluWater Bistro, Jillians Billiard's Club, RockSalt Steak House and China Harbor are to name a few.

*** Things to do at Lake Union Seatle *** 

Ramble around the Lake Union docks and relax at the parks.

By Seaplanes, Experience the most spectacular views of the Emerald city and the unique thrill of flying off the water, in and around of Seattle.

Have a glimpse of "Sleepless in Seattle" Houseboat and floating homes line the east and west sides of Lake Union.

Come down to the Center for Wooden Boats (CWB), a nautical museum on the shore, with historical boats, sailing events, classes and workshops. Visitors also participate by attending events such as the annual 4th of July Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival, regattas, boat shows. Every Sunday of the year, there are free public boat rides on Lake Union through CastOFF! Program. Come down in person to sign up as early as 10:00 a.m. for the 2:00 p.m. sail. Please note: space fills up quickly!

Visit Naval Reserve Building (Armory), situated at the water's edge, is now home to the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI). *Opening Dec 2012*

Practice and enjoy Dragonboating at South Lake Union at Kenmore Air. First 3 practices are FREE! It is a low-impact, full body workout for people of any experience level. Anyone can be a paddler.

Enjoy Wading Pools and Sprayparks at Lake Union Park. [Opens on sunny days or temp to be 70 degrees or more]

Relax and enjoy a stress-free commute by Mini-Ferry from Lake Union Park to UW  and vice-versa.

During eve, taste your favourate food at any of the wooden deck of lake shore.

Snap with the "George Washington Memorial Bridge" in the background.

Read More

A snowy trip to Leavenworth, WA

Quote of the Post: "Take the LEAVE aNd enjoy the WORTH place to visit." - Quote about Leavenworth by Sachin Kumar Gupta

It is the city in the heart of Washington state; often known as German town. I was here in the month of December, so it was a bit cold here. Sorry, not a bit; Full Byte or can say in KB in terms of cold, and will increase as December ends :)

We decided to visit the Leavenworth this weekend. It is approx 3.5-4.5 hrs drive from Seattle. (Depends on atmosphere and road conditions) The 'throughout year lighting town' becomes in its peak during Chrismas timings. GPS really helped us a lot to reach the destination. We feed the source and the destination in the GPS system. GPS keep us pinging at time to time for directions, re-routing, and overspeeding.

During our journey, the sun was playing hide and seek game. Sometimes it hides behind the snowy mountains, sometimes within the clouds and at last it set for the day. On our way, We saw freezing river alongside the mountains. If you would be visiting this place during a sunny summer day, chances are that you can also have a glimpse of the reflection of the mountain in the river.

As it was 2-2 (My way of too much) cold, so we have coffee break (Extra Hot) at Cle Elum. We sipped it a to z. In the meantime, another sweet sipper volunteerly asked for our group snap. Thanks to her, because at the end, we realize that this was the only group snap throughout our trip.

Then we proceed towards our final destination, As soon as we entered, we saw some deer here and there. Twinkling lightings started as we entered to the city. Then all of a sudden we heard choiring some prayer. This is the most happening place in Leavenworth full of restaurants, shops with unique gift items, many events and activities all the time. All the current events and activities can be checked here.

It was the perfect time, People in Father Christmas and Santa's dress were roaming around, blessing and greeting people. Everywhere you can enjoy twinkling houses, shops, trees, banks and most of the places in Leavenworth. After roaming all around, it was time to have dinner. We got delicious (after a long time) Pizza served.

You also have a chance to see over 5000 types of nut-crackers - The Leavenworth Nut-Crackers Museum. It opens 2-5 pm ; May - October (Daily) and November - April (Sat & Sun)

While returning we thought that we would be the only owls on the way back in this chilled night covered with snowy roads. But we were wrong. There were many owls like us. If you are just away from the city, It seems like the colored stars are flashing just over the Leavenworth town. We were not relaxed during our return journey, seated upfront, As we need not to take the nap due to snowy night and road conditions with open eyes. So, upto some extent it was an adventure trip as well, As you never know, when the car can skid in the snowy roads.

On this Note, We finally leave the worth place to visit "Leavenworth", and back to Seattle.

Read More