In the Light of Jerusalem 2000 - Exhibition by Dale Chihuly

	In July 1999, a huge exhibition was opened by the leading glass artist, Dale Chihuly.
	Dale Chihuly built the exhibition specifically for the Tower of David on the eve of the millennium, as a tribute to Jerusalem after 2000 years since the first glass was blown in the city. It was the largest exhibition that Chihuly has ever produced. The colorful outsized sculptures made up with hundreds of pieces of fragile glass stood in fabulous contrast to the solid ancient golden walls of the citadel.
Chihuly, who is highly respected throughout the art world, challenges the limitations of the chosen material. He receives his inspiration from nature and the environment. In previous projects - he has integrated his giant statures into flowing rivers, forests, blossoming fields and the architecture of ancient buildings.
	There were over 10, 000 pieces of glass used in the exhibition, brought in from 12 different countries including Japan, USA, Finland. Dale Chihuly brought with him his own team of glass blowers, engineers and a technical team who, together with a large local team, built the exhibition over the course of a number of weeks. The glass works were "dressed" by a team that rappelled down the huge iron constructions that covered the courtyard of the citadel.
The exhibit was an unprecedented success with the number of visitors and its coverage by the press. With 1, 300,000 people visiting the exhibition during the year that it ran it was the most popular temporary exhibition in the world. On its busiest days, over 6000 visitors passed through the gates of the citadel to see the unique creativity by Chihuly.
	Throughout the run of the exhibition, there were special events and activities, including a one-off meeting of artists, curators and art collectors with Dale Chihuly. . Chihuly also brought in 64 tons of Alaskan ice to create a huge new Jerusalem wall outside the citadel.Activities were run for children inspired by the exhibition