Welcome to Litsy!

The creative process and energy of Dale Chihuly is vividly documented in this book. It chronicles the remarkable story of how in the time from Thanksgiving to Christmas 1996, Chihuly's most startling and challenging outdoor installation took form. It started with a 45-minute telephone call to Harriet Bullitt, the guiding force behind the development of the eco-friendly Sleeping Lady Retreat and Conference Center in Leavenworth, Washington. After numerous discussions about a special installation for the Sleeping Lady Chapel, Chihuly had awoken the day after Thanksgiving inspired to drive from Seattle, over the Cascade Mountains, to share his extraordinary vision. Chihuly's team of glassblowers created the Icicle Creek Chandelier of 1200 parts. With the help of engineers, welders, drillers, a lighting designer, a solar consultant, a geologist, a forester, and Chihuly's own installation specialists, it was installed in 20 degree below zero weather and snow. Bullitt concludes her foreword by writing, Seeing how the Icicle Creek Chandelier was made only heightens the sense of wonder one feels at viewing this startling piece.It is a permanent reminder of how a human-made creation can be framed in nature and find harmony within it. The book is a photographic record of the creative process narrated by Chihuly's own words drawn from the myriad voice mail messages that shaped it. This book offers the most intimate and revealing account of Chihuly's creativity and working methods to date.