Jonas Salk, the discoverer of the vaccine that has just about eliminated polio as a disease that plagued mankind for millennium, thought there was equally great creativity in science as in art. Furthermore, Salk believed that art and science should go hand in hand. To this end, in 1960, along with architect Louis Kahn, and funded by the March of Dimes, Salk designed and built the Salk Institute at 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, hoping to achieve a “crucible for creativity.” The Salk Institute, with its mirror-image bold and austere angular buildings constructed of concrete and teak, which are set around a courtyard overlooking a magnificent view of the Pacific, turned out to be a master work of design. It is currently considered to be one of the 10 most important buildings in the United States and listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. Today, a staff of hundreds of scientists, including three Nobel laureates, work in cutting edge research in molecular biology, genetics, neurosciences and plant biology. It is fitting that to pay homage to Salk’s memory and dream, and mark the 50th anniversary of the institute’s founding, an outdoor exhibit of colorful and expressive glass art by the celebrated artist Dale Chihuly, considered to be the greatest living glass artist in the world, will be installed at the Salk for a short period of time, although a few pieces will remain until September. The exhibition of 12 glass sculptures will be open to the public from April 22 to 27. This display is made possible through the sponsorship of Joan and Irwin Jacobs, who are admiring fans of Chihuly. The Jacobs thought Chihuly’s sculpture would work well in the setting of the institute. Chihuly agreed, stating, “The stark visually powerful architecture of the Salk Institute is just one of those kinds of places where I know my artwork and the architecture would come together just right.” The centerpiece of the exhibit is called “White Tower,” a white-to-pink colored 15-foot-high glass structure with a traditional Czech motif resembling a snow-covered Christmas tree or an icy spark from a Tesla coil. “The Sun,” another piece, also about 15-feet-tall, looks like a blazing Medusa-haired star. Of it, Chihuly says, “It’s mysterious … like something you have never seen before.” The “Niijima Floats” are glass boats filled with large spheres, each about 40 inches in diameter and weighing approximately 60 pounds, with surfaces richly covered in gold and silver leaf and foil. “Chandeliers” are large hanging sculptures assembled from hundreds of colorful tentacle–like glass components. “Reeds” look like translucent spears that jut out from the ground, and “Macchia” (meaning spotted) are curvy-lipped vases that explore unique color combinations. The creator of these wondrous works has been described as a “frizzy-haired, eye patched, swashbuckling bundle of kinetic energy.” He is said to be full of life and excitement and considered to be “an unquestioned genius,” with eight honorary doctorates to his credit. For many years, Chihuly has been the leader of the avant-garde in the development of glass as fine art. Chihuly was born in Tacoma, Wash. in 1941. He studied at the University of Wisconsin under Harvey K. Littleton, initiator of the first glass blowing program in the U.S. In 1968, Chihuly was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to apprentice at the Venini Glass Factory on Murano Island near Venice. Since 1971, he has been based at the Pilchuck Glass School in Washington, which he founded. Chihuly’s work is in more than 200 museum collections worldwide — that, in addition to a solo show at the Louvre in Paris in 1986. His glass installations can be found in such diverse locations as above the canals in Venice, at the Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem, the Belaggio Hotel in Las Vegas, the Ritz Carlton Millennia in Singapore, the Getty Educational Center in Los Angeles and Benaroya Hall in Seattle. Daily, one-hour guided tours on April 22 to 27 will be available to the public, leaving every 15 minutes and costing $15 per person. Parking will be available in the Salk East Lot directly off Torrey Pines Road North for $5. On April 25, Chihuly will give a lecture and a book signing with tickets at $50. There will also be a gala with reception, dinner and entertainment. Call the institute for details, (858) 453-4100.