• http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/11/03/18/firebird1104_04.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.JPG|414
    Guests gather in front of the Bechtler Museum of Modern art for the unveiling of the Niki de Saint Phalle sculpture called "The Firebird." T.ORTEGA GAINES-ogaines@charlotteobserver.com
    Buy Photo | Store |
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/11/03/18/firebird1104_06.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.JPG|414
    Honored guest lift the covering of the Niki de Saint Phalle sculpture called "The Firebird" for its first unveiling to guest in attendance at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. T.ORTEGA GAINES-ogaines@charlotteobserver.com
    Buy Photo | Store |
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/11/03/18/firebird1104_22.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.JPG|525
    Honored guest lift the covering of the Niki de Saint Phalle sculpture called "The Firebird" for its first unveiling to guest in attendance at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. Help was needed by the museum staff after the covering got stuck onthe sculpture during the unveiling. T.ORTEGA GAINES-ogaines@charlotteobserver.com
    Buy Photo | Store |
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/11/03/18/firebird1104_01.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.JPG|414
    “I really feel the Firebird has found its nest," says Laura Gabriela Duke, daughter of the late Niki de Saint Phalle. "Niki's spirit is here, because she lives through her art.” Duke is pictured with Andreas Bechtler. T.ORTEGA GAINES-ogaines@charlotteobserver.com
    Buy Photo | Store |
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/11/03/18/firebird1104_23.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.JPG|525
    “I really feel the Firebird has found its nest," says Laura Gabriela Duke, daughter of the late Niki de Saint Phalle. "Niki's spirit is here, because she lives through her art.” Duke is pictured with Andreas Bechtler. T.ORTEGA GAINES-ogaines@charlotteobserver.com
    Buy Photo | Store |
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/11/03/18/firebird1104_20.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.JPG|525
    Friends and supporters of Andreas Bechtler gather around the Firebird in front of the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. T.ORTEGA GAINES-ogaines@charlotteobserver.com
    Buy Photo | Store |
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/11/03/18/firebird1104_19.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.JPG|525
    Friends and supporters of Andreas Bechtler gather around the Firebird in front of the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. T.ORTEGA GAINES-ogaines@charlotteobserver.com
    Buy Photo | Store |
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/11/03/18/firebird1104_18.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.JPG|525
    Friends and supporter of Andreas Bechtler gather around the Firebird in front of the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. T.ORTEGA GAINES-ogaines@charlotteobserver.com
    Buy Photo | Store |
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/11/03/18/firebird1104_17.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.JPG|525
    From left: John Boyer (President and CEO of the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art), Andreas Bechtler (patron of the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art who purchased the Firebird sculpture for the museum), Urs Ziswiler (Swiss Ambassador to the United States). walk under the Firebird after the unveiling. T.ORTEGA GAINES-ogaines@charlotteobserver.com
    Buy Photo | Store |
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/11/03/18/firebird1104_09.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.JPG|414
    The “Le Grand Oiseau de Feu sur L'Arche” (“The Large Firebird on the Arch”) is roughly made of 7,500 silvery mirrored tiles. This 17-foot sculpture of a bird can be seen in front of the Bechtler Museum. T.ORTEGA GAINES-ogaines@charlotteobserver.com
    Buy Photo | Store |
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/11/03/18/firebird1104_05.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.JPG|414
    Guests gather in front of the Bechtler Museum of Modern art for unveiling of the Niki de Saint Phalle sculpture called "The Firebird" T.ORTEGA GAINES-ogaines@charlotteobserver.com
    Buy Photo | Store |
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/11/03/18/firebird1104_03.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.JPG|414
    Kayli Schmidt-Rimpler Dinh, 22 months, is curious of the mirror reflection of the Firebird sculpture. T.ORTEGA GAINES-ogaines@charlotteobserver.com
    Buy Photo | Store |
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/11/03/18/firebird1104_02.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.JPG|414
    Mecklenburg County Commissioner Jennifer Roberts was one on many people who touched the sculpture on Tuesday. She is pictured with Robert Glen. T.ORTEGA GAINES-ogaines@charlotteobserver.com
    Buy Photo | Store |
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/11/03/18/firebird1104_21.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.JPG|525
    Jason Perkins admire the new sculpture as he stand in front of the Firebird. T.ORTEGA GAINES-ogaines@charlotteobserver.com
    Buy Photo | Store |
Loading in additional galleries