The Children's Museum of Indianapolis Unveils Fireworks of Glass, Dale Chihuly's Largest Permanent Sculpture of Blown Glass

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    INDIANAPOLIS, March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Dedicated to creating extraordinary
 family learning experiences across the arts, sciences and humanities, The
 Children's Museum of Indianapolis in conjunction with renowned artist Dale
 Chihuly, opens Fireworks of Glass, the largest permanent sculpture of Chihuly
 blown glass ever created.  The 43-foot Tower rises above a floating glass
 ceiling under which an innovative hands-on glassblowing exhibit for children
 and families is housed.  Fireworks of Glass is a permanent world-class work of
 art for children and families to explore, learn about and create their own
 works of art.
     (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060318/DESA001 )
     Located in the museum's core, a five-story central atrium, the Chihuly
 sculpture and ceiling will be seen by more visitors than any other exhibit in
 the museum.  "An estimated 60 million children and families and up to 7
 million school children, and their teachers, over the next 50 years will view
 Fireworks of Glass, an extraordinary work of art that would not normally be
 seen in a children's museum," said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO
 of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.
     "Glass is the most magical of all materials.  It transmits light in a
 special way ... I'm pleased that my art appeals to so many people of all ages.
 As a parent and an artist, I'm especially looking forward to leaving a legacy
 at The Children's Museum, a place where I hope my work brings joy to children
 who visit from all over the world," said Dale Chihuly.
     "The Children's Museum is known for providing outstanding opportunities
 for the exploration of the sciences, history and humanities.  This one of a
 kind work of art will serve as an icon for cultural tourism for our city,"
 said Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson.
 
     Fireworks of Glass:
     Standing more than 43-feet tall, Fireworks of Glass is comprised of more
 than 3,200 individually blown, glass pieces.
     During the day, it is bathed in natural light and is spectacularly lit at
 night for evening events.  Children and families can circle the tower via the
 museum's ramps to explore the sculpture from all sides.
 
     Fireworks of Glass Ceiling:
     The Fireworks of Glass ceiling is cross shaped, and consists of more than
 1,600 brilliant, colorful glass pieces in a myriad of shapes.  Exotic-named
 pieces such as Sea Tubes, Hornballs, Persians, and Putti are displayed inside
 a suspended glass ceiling with the tower mounted above.  From the museum's
 Lower Level, children and their families are able to sit on a revolving
 viewing platform below the illuminated ceiling and talk about what they see
 overhead.  Special lighting highlights individual pieces and casts dramatic
 colors and patterns on the floor and walls.
 
     The Interactive Hands-On Exhibit:
     Underneath the ceiling of Fireworks of Glass, is a permanent hands-on
 interactive exhibit area featuring learning stations where visitors create
 their own sculptures from a wide variety of colorful, molded glass-like shapes
 called polyvitro.  Family-sized benches, surrounded by computer touch screens,
 accommodate families as they blow their own virtual glass art piece.  Visitors
 can also view a 180-degree virtual image of the Hot Shop where Chihuly and his
 team blow glass.  On-screen boxes pop up with information about Chihuly, his
 artwork, the glassblowing process and the design, creation and installation of
 Fireworks of Glass.
 
     The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N. Meridian St.  The museum is
 open daily, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Closed Mondays, Labor Day - mid-March only.)
 Admission prices are as follows: Under 2, free; Youths (2 - 17), $7; Adults,
 $12; and Seniors (60+), $11.
 
 

SOURCE  The Children's Museum of Indianapolis