At the G 20 welcome reception, President and Mrs. Obama were given the sculpture, the Wavey Bowl, made by internationally renowned glass artist Hans Godo FrŠbel.
PITTSBURGH, PA - President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and Summit leaders took home their own pieces of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens following the Pittsburgh G-20 Summit. Prior to the reception at Phipps, Richard V. Piacentini, executive director of Phipps, privately presented the president and the first lady with three glass pieces from the current exhibition, Life in the Gardens. Fräbel at Phipps. The Obama’s were given the sculpture, the Wavey Bowl, as well as two tropical frogs glass sculptures for the Obama’s children, Sasha and Malia, all made by internationally renowned glass artist Hans Godo Fräbel.
As a gift to G20 Summit dignitaries, President Obama commissioned the Fräbel Studio to produce 34 “Glass Tree” sculptures also by glass artist Hans Godo Fräbel. The exquisite glass tree sculptures and an artist signed-copy of Life in the Gardens. Fräbel at Phipps, a stunning full-color exhibition book, was presented to world leaders at the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh on Sept. 24.
The Obama’s gift, Fräbel’s Wavey Bowl sculpture, is made of strings of borosilicate glass that connect to create a bowl-like structure; the connections and thin pieces of glass create a stunning and incredible play with sunlight. The colorful glass frogs are from Fräbel’s tropical frog series, all endangered or extinct species from South and Central America. The dignitaries’ Glass Tree sculptures were intended to symbolize unity and movement toward a common goal.
The current exhibition, Life in the Gardens. Fräbel at Phipps will remain at the conservatory through Jan. 2010; Frabel glass sculptures and the book, Life in the Gardens. Frabel at Phipps are also available for purchase by the public at the gift shop at Phipps Welcome Center.
About Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: Built as a repository of horticultural excellence by Henry W. Phipps in 1893 at the height of Pittsburgh’s industrial prowess, Phipps has evolved from the nation’s first teaching conservatory to a distinguished eco-champion among America’s 500 public gardens and an exhibit space ranked among the nation’s top conservatory experiences. The transformation of Phipps’ Victorian glasshouse jewel into a pace-setting model for advanced green building practices, sustainable development and environmental awareness has resulted in 13 prestigious awards.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 700 Frank Curto Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. 412-622-6914 or visit www.phipps.conservatory.org |
