Lime Green Icicle Tower
Site-specific sculpture / Large-scale glass installation • Dale Chihuly
Style & Movement
Contemporary Glass Art / Neo-Baroque / Organic Abstraction
Medium & Technique
Hand-blown glass and steel armature. The technique involves individual glass-blowing (lampworking and furnace techniques) of thousands of unique 'icicle' or 'horn' shapes which are then mechanically fastened to a central structural core.
Creation Period
2011
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 42 feet and 6 inches in height. Vertical tower format.
Subject Description
An immense, vertical spire composed of hundreds of vibrant lime-green glass elements. The form mimics organic, botanical structures like a towering cactus or agave stalk. It explores the relationship between light, transparency, and architectural space, intended to draw the eye upward within the museum's atrium.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent. As a prominent permanent installation in a major museum, it is maintained under strict conservation standards.
Estimated Market Value
$2,000,000 - $4,000,000 USD (Based on custom architectural commissions by the Chihuly Studio of this scale)
Auction Estimate
N/A - Museum-owned site-specific installations are rarely auctioned, but private high-end estimates for comparable 'Towers' range from $1.5M to $3M.
Provenance History
Commissioned/Purchased for the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, following the popular 2011 exhibition 'Chihuly: Through the Looking Glass.' It has remained in the Shapiro Family Courtyard since its installation.
Art Historical Significance
A defining piece of 21st-century glass art. It demonstrates Chihuly's role in shifting glass from a functional 'craft' medium to the realm of high-scale fine art. It is a landmark of the MFA Boston's modern wing (Shapiro Family Courtyard).
Notable Features
Includes 2,342 individual shards of glass. The 'icicle' form is a signature motif of the artist. The interaction of natural light from the Foster + Partners-designed atrium creates shifting translucency and shadows throughout the day.
Condition Issues
Potential for dust accumulation on upper elements; risks include structural vibration from the building or rare seismic activity. No visible glass fatigue or color fading reported.
Conservation Recommendations
Regular professional cleaning in situ using lifts. Monitoring of the steel armature for tension. UV-protected environment provided by the glass atrium prevents pigment degradation.
Collector Notes
Boston museum of fine arts