tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531343.post112260075881642744..comments2024-03-27T06:24:30.922-04:00Comments on A Weekly Dose of Architecture Books: The Space of LightJohn Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14842328320680692310noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531343.post-1122650039184304932005-07-29T11:13:00.000-04:002005-07-29T11:13:00.000-04:00I saw the same - or similar - artwork by Turrell i...I saw the same - or similar - artwork by Turrell in Frankfurt many years ago. A couple turns down a dark corridor brought one to the space with the barely discernable rectangle on the opposite wall. Unfortunately the security guy who followed us rushed the experience by taking us over to the opening and showing us the effects of the black light. Regardless, it was something I'll never forget.<BR/><BR/>Since then I've seen a couple more of his gallery installations, both at a small Chelsea NYC location. One was a room you could walk in after strapping on booties, though I don't recall the actual lighting. The other escapes me now. Obviously they didn't have the same effect on me as the earlier one, but I owe that to the fact it was packed and a bit loud, especially being right off the street. I think his installations are more suitable for quiet contemplation and meditation, or at least they can have that sort of effect on somebody.<BR/><BR/>Interesting thing is that his skyspaces are like Atlan, though natural instead of artificial. The blues of the sky also <A HREF="http://www.archidose.org/May05/052305f-pic.html" REL="nofollow">swelling in color</A>. I don't think he's recreating this in the gallery installations, he's moreso exhibiting the consistencies of light in nature and our perception of it, be it natural or artificial.John Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14842328320680692310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531343.post-1122642146958972412005-07-29T09:02:00.000-04:002005-07-29T09:02:00.000-04:00I never really appreciated the Light Artists until...I never really appreciated the Light Artists until I experienced James Turrell's <A HREF="http://www.pbs.org/art21/artists/turrell/card1.html" REL="nofollow">Atlan,</A> at the time being exhibited in Koln.<BR/><BR/>I was a little surprised to find a review of the piece with just a quick google. It's a little hard to describe, so I'll save some time and <A HREF="http://www.pbs.org/art21/artists/turrell/card1.html" REL="nofollow">quote here:</A> <I>Surprising in its simplicity, "Atlan" is a work that plays on viewers' sense perceptions. Entering a dimly lit room, viewers find what seems to be a deep blue rectangle or monochrome painting on the far wall. As one's eyes adjust to the darkened room, the blue appears to swell in color. Compelling for the way in which the color is evenly and luminously distributed, the viewer is drawn closer to the work for a detailed inspection. Inviting exploration, a surprise is in store for anyone who dares to reach out and touch the work. What at first appears to be a solid rectangle or drawing on the wall is actually an open window onto an empty, light-filled room.</I> <BR/><BR/>It was a completely unreal experience. As I approached what i thought was a large scale painting hanging alone in the room, I was overcome by a disorienting dizziness that I could not understand. Not until I was inches from the piece did I realize it was an opening into another room. A room whose space is quie difficult to discern upon first glance. It is impossible to express to confusion I felt as I walked towards the installation. Truly amazing. An experience I'll never forget, and one that will forever remind me of the power of light and space.Jimmy Stamphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04818007762978195098noreply@blogger.com