Dale Chihuly Installation Kicks Off 50th Anniversary Celebration for the Salk Institute April 22-27, 2010

Public invited to tour Chihuly at the Salk, featuring dramatically colorful sculpture set against national architectural landmark; Lecture and book signing also scheduled

LA JOLLA, Calif., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The bold iconic laboratory buildings of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies will receive a dramatic jolt of colorful artwork April 22-27 when the Institute kicks off its 50th anniversary celebration with Chihuly at the Salk -- an outdoor installation by artist Dale Chihuly.

The celebratory event in La Jolla, Calif., is open to the public for day and some evening guided tours ($15/ticket), in the course of which visitors can experience some of Chihuly's fantastically colorful and expressive glass sculptures. The artwork will be positioned throughout the grounds of the Salk Institute (designed by famed American architect Louis Kahn).

"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 absolutely delighted that we can open our doors to the public to share this unique experience. And we are deeply appreciative of the generous sponsorship of Joan and Irwin M. Jacobs that made this exhibit possible."

Chihuly's The Sun and White Tower, each standing about 15 feet tall, 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. Among the 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; Chandeliers, large hanging sculptures assembled from hundreds of colorful, tentacle-like glass components; and Reeds, translucent spears that appear to jut out from the ground.

"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.

A master glass blower from Seattle, Wash., 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.

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.

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.

SOURCE Salk Institute for Biological Studies