The Litvak Gallery presented a widely encompassing exhibit of the artwork of renowned American artist, Dale Chihuly, and is also sponsoring the inclusion of Chihuly-designed stage sets for Bela Bartok’s opera, “Duke Bluebeard's Castle” to be performed by the Israeli Opera.

In July 1999 a large-scale exhibition showcasing the artwork of Dale Chihuly opened at the Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem. The exhibit enjoyed unprecedented success as well as extensive media coverage. More than one million people visited the show.

A decade later the name Chihuly continues to echo in Israel's collective memory as one and the same with glass art and beauty.

The Litvak Gallery, which has made it part of its mission to promote glass art in Israel, has initiated an ambitious and multidisciplinary exhibit. On 16.12 the Gallery had opened an extensive Chihuly exhibit to the public.

In addition, the Gallery has collaborated with the Israeli Opera to present eight performances of the opera “Duke Bluebeard's Castle” by Hungarian composer Bela Bartók. The opera is a unique production featuring spectacular sets bursting with color designed by Chihuly.

Chihuly has earned a worldwide reputation in part due to his large scale outdoor architectural installations. His works are displayed in more than two hundred museum collections around the world as well as in many private collections; he has been awarded eight honorary doctorates.

Interestingly, Chihuly spent a period of his life on a kibbutz. He states that his time on the kibbutz in 1962 is what made him comprehend the values of hard work and even changed the course of his life.

Nearly 100 works from the artist’s various series were presented at Litvak Gallery. Included in these works were 10 large installations that have been created specifically for the Gallery including Persian Window composed of multi-dimensional, colorful elements and installed facing the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. Tower standing 6 meters in height was also on display. Other works include medium- and small-sized sculptures from Chihuly’s “Venetian”, “Cylinder”, “Ikebana”, “Basket”, and “Seaform” series’.

The one act opera by Bartók, “Duke Bluebeard's Castle”, is a psychological drama featuring two main characters and explores the depths of their souls rather than the real world in which they find themselves. For the production, the orchestra will be seated on the stage with the seven “doors” designed by Chihuly placed in front of the orchestra. As each door in Duke Bluebeard’s castle is opened, a unique glass sculpture created by Chihuly is revealed.