Hundreds of individual glass objects are combined into an overall composition which – in musical terms – forms a polyphonic, harmonious body of sound. The reflective surface of the platform extends this fairy-tale world into the depths and gives it, supported by the lurching, tentacular forms, the appearance of an underwater garden. Chihuly calls this form of installation Mille Fiori: a telling title, with a literal significance, and at the same time a specialist term for an ancient technique for the treatment of glass, which was taken up again and perfected in Murano in the 16th century. Strands of glass are pressed, melted together and cut into slices, before being used as mosaic-like components to form brightly coloured flowers, stars or other ornamental patterns.

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