Chihuly’s Sun shines again on the steps of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
In Montreal, it’s not the buds that mark good weather’s arrival but the return of Dale Chihuly’s sculpture The Sun in front of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA). This monumental work turned Montreal icon will proudly re-adorn the steps of the Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion. Encompassing over 1,300 rays of blown glass, The Sun will shine all summer long, to the great delight of Montrealers and tourists.
DID YOU KNOW …?
The Sun is made up of 1,347 rays of blown glass.
It is about 5 m in diameter.
It requires 12 employees to assemble.
It takes 5 days to install, which began May 28.
Its total weight is 2,100 kg.
The rays comprise all three primary colours – two shades of yellow mixed in with several tendrils of blue and red.
When dismantled for winter, 134 boxes are needed to contain all the sculpture’s components.
This spectacular work by Dale Chihuly was able to remain in Montreal, thanks to the generous contribution of J. Sebastian van Berkom, President and Chief Executive Officer of Van Berkom and Associates and MMFA Foundation trustee. The Museum is extremely grateful for the essential support of major patrons like Marcel and Caroline Elefant, Jacqueline Desmarais, and John and Phyllis Rae. The Museum also wishes to underline the support of Sun Life Financial, Polaroid Eyewear, New Look Eyewear and the thousands of Museum visitors and members who contributed to this acquisition.
Legend: Dale Chihuly (born in 1941), The Sun, from the series “Chandeliers & Towers,” 2003, blown glass and steel. MMFA, purchase, gifts of J. Sebastian van Berkom, Marcel and Caroline Elefant, an anonymous donor, Jacqueline Desmarais, Sun Life Financial, John A. and Phyllis Rae, Polaroid Eyewear, New Look Eyewear and the thousands of Museum visitors and members who contributed to this acquisition. Photo MMFA, Christine Guest.
