There's An App For This

Inspiration can come from anywhere. Take these photos, shot by my son, on a trip we took to London several years ago...

Dale Chihuly, at his finest, in the entrance rotunda of my favorite museum, the Victoria and Albert.

What makes it so memorable is the placement of a colorful fantasy in the middle of a solemn, historical building. It took my breath away and I've never forgotten it. That's why I jumped at the chance to use it as inspiration for a birthday party I was asked to help with. 

A big floral centerpiece, along with candles, would probably do the trick. That's not the vibe I went for, the room is serious enough.

So I went with this...

It's not really Chihuly, but the feeling is there.

I probably should have used smaller balls or maybe those long clown balloons.

You can create some crazy stuff with clown balloons. 

(you're welcome male readers)

It's really about the use of bright colors and a sense of whimsy and fun.

My favorite thing was the 48" green ball that I hung from the entrance hall chandelier.

Picture it at night, with the lamp below, making it sort of glow. It was very dramatic.

A simple greeting at the front door. 

It was really windy that day, and hard to keep the balls in place, but I liked the motion. 

I don't really practice or plan too much when doing things like this (obviously). It's more about creating a feeling and "making it work". 

Below is another shot, stored for inspiration at a future date.

It's from the Chihuly exhibit currently in house at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), in Richmond, thru February 10th. And for those of you who are unable to make the showing...

...there really is an app! Created by the VMFA and the Martin agency, to coincide with the Virginia showing, it's quite the diversion. You create your own Chihuly-esque glass design by blowing on your phone, and then you can manipulate your creation by touching the screen.







I'm off to download now...

                                                                               - k -