Book Description

As we stand on the threshold of the new millennium here at the ancient Tower of David, this is my own personal tribute, says Dale Chihuly at the completion of his project in Israel. Fifteen soaring sculptures made from more than ten thousand glass parts blown in France, Japan, the Czech Republic, Finland, Israel, and the United States were specifically created to take advantage of the stone walls of the historic Citadel, as well as the Mediterranean sunlight. This full-size book documents the yearlong exhibition with 117 full-colour reproductions of Chihuly's sculptures, his energetic drawings, and his team as they install the exhibition. These beautiful images are accompanied by Chihuly's affectionate letters to his young son, Jackson, about the joys and challenges of the project and his essay (reprinted with permission from Ariel: The Israel Review of Arts and Letters, vol. 111, 1999) on his inspirations at the site. Also included is an illuminating foreword by Shosh Yaniv, director of the Tower of David Museum of the History of Jerusalem, and a section containing seven insightful reviews of the exhibition.This book offers an opportunity to share in a unique millennium celebration -- a joyous tribute by an artist as he captures the light, history, and essence of one of the greatest cities in the world.