Museum launches public appeal to buy Dale Chihuly piece
- July 26, 2011 14:24
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, has begun a campaign to raise more than $1 million to acquire the 42-foot-tall “Lime Green Icicle Tower,’’ a signature work by glass artist Dale Chihuly that’s been soaring in the museum’s new Shapiro Family Courtyard since “Chihuly: Through the Looking Glass’’ opened in April. The public contributions will be matched by a group of MFA donors.
The MFA’s public appeal includes, for the first time, a chance for museum visitors to give online and by texting on their phones - people can text the word TOWER to 50555, then reply to the follow-up message “To confirm your $10 donation to MFA Boston, reply with the word YES.’’
While museums often seek to acquire works following exhibitions, the source of funds traditionally comes from high-level donors. The trend to appeal to the general public, often through online and phone texting campaigns, was seen on a large scale last year when the Louvre sought 4 million euros to buy Lucas Cranach the Elder's "The Three Graces."
Also in the Boston area, the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, Mass., is currently looking to raise $1 million, specifically to commission a work by British sculptor Andy Goldsworthy.
The exhibition Andy Goldsworthy: Snow is on view in order to raise awareness and the funding necessary to bring the proposed work, "Snow House," to fruition.
