Crystal Bridges, Forest Lights, & Fall Foliage

Last weekend we ventured to Crystal Bridges in Bentonville, AR, to see the North Forest Lights exhibit again. We saw it at the end of 2019 and loved it. Rather than lug my camera around, I took pictures with my phone.  Alas, those pix were lost in cyberspace whilst trying to update and sync my iPhone and a new iPad. But the exhibit is the same with just a few minor additions, so click here to see the same photos taken in 2019.

Irony - in 2019 my lens fell off the camera and tumbled over a bridge rail. This time I lost some pix off the phone. If we ever go again, I think I'll just leave all electronic gear at home.

We stayed at the exhibit until 10:30pm. It's such a magical, mystical, enchanting walk through the woods. They're saying this is the final run for North Forest Lights, so better get your tickets and get over there!

Curved hallway.

Dale Chihuly glass sculpture.

The next day, we toured the museum and walked the surrounding trails. It's a top notch art museum and the grounds are gorgeous.

This is from the "Infinity Mirror Room."  We took some video but it got lost. It's beautiful to experience. If you want to see someone else's video of it, click here.

I had to include this picture. I think it looks like the Borg queen from Star Trek: First Contact (picture on the right). It's actually supposed to be the famous dancer, Martha Graham. Not sure I'd be flattered if I were she.

I love mixed media art and sculpture. I always say "art is everywhere and in everything."

This photo is not out of focus. That's how this piece really looks in person. I thought it was a quartz of some sort or some strange coral thing. It's made of 1000's of buttons! See description below:

I'm pretty sure those are Dale Chihuly glass balls in the water. I saw the same thing at one of his exhibits in OKC.  He has several pieces at the museum - even outside! There's one in particular that is huge & part of Forest Lights.

(from 2019)

I asked a docent how they protect it in bad weather. He said they don't! And if a piece were to get damaged, Dale would just replace the broken bits. He said the only time one of the spirals have gotten broken was when a deer hit it. They got the culprit on camera too!

This installation is outside. It was one of my favorites.

900 silver spheres are sitting on the pond.

The artist must have known that everyone would stop in front of it and take a selfie. So, can you guess what he called this?

"Narcissus Garden"

It was a perfect fall day. Sunshine, mild temps, and beautiful leaf color.

The giant spider used to stand at the entrance courtyard. They've enclosed the courtyard with a beautiful domed skylight and moved spidey outside where he belongs.

There are several bridges, but not a single one made of crystal :(

There's just nothing better to soothe the soul than a walk through the woods on a fall day.

Below is another Chihuly glass sculpture. It's on one of the trails.

And finally, here is my (silver) Tree of Gondor waiting to greet you or bid you adieu at the museum entrance.

 The whole Crystal Bridges complex is world-class. I highly recommend a visit!