James Turrell: The Master of Light and Space
One can envy those who have had the chance to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of artist James Turrell's works. Great master of light and space James Turrell combined the planes of art, astronomy, architecture, and design.
We want to tell you about the applied value of his contribution to contemporary art. The perception of reality is often different from reality. The metaphysics of a person's inner world has its laws. Playing with these facets can lead a person to valuable experiences and discoveries.
Artist James Turrell said: «My work is using light as a material to influence or affect the medium of perception. I feel that I want to use light as this wonderful and magic elixir that we drink as Vitamin D through the skin – and I mean, we are literally light-eaters – to then affect the way that we see..»
We want to tell you about the applied value of his contribution to contemporary art. The perception of reality is often different from reality. The metaphysics of a person's inner world has its laws. Playing with these facets can lead a person to valuable experiences and discoveries.
Artist James Turrell said: «My work is using light as a material to influence or affect the medium of perception. I feel that I want to use light as this wonderful and magic elixir that we drink as Vitamin D through the skin – and I mean, we are literally light-eaters – to then affect the way that we see..»
james turrell
Daryna Markova
contributor DOM Art Residence
Jan 30, 2025
Who is James Turrell?
Approach of artist James Turrell is to create «empty» spaces to immerse the viewer in them. This creates a dialog between the inner world, ambient light, and space. The artist's philosophy is an exploration of how light changes a person's psycho-emotional state.
James Turrell believes that light is more than a physical phenomenon. Light has mystical properties that can profoundly alter the perception of time and space. Through sophisticated lighting techniques and optical effects, James Turrell manipulates perception.
The viewer becomes part of the James Turrell`s art, experiencing new sensations and emotions. Because of the special lighting, it is not always possible to determine exactly where space ends and light begins. The boundary between solid reality and the inner world is blurred. His words: «I want to create an atmosphere that can be consciously plumbed with seeing.»
James Turrell believes that light is more than a physical phenomenon. Light has mystical properties that can profoundly alter the perception of time and space. Through sophisticated lighting techniques and optical effects, James Turrell manipulates perception.
The viewer becomes part of the James Turrell`s art, experiencing new sensations and emotions. Because of the special lighting, it is not always possible to determine exactly where space ends and light begins. The boundary between solid reality and the inner world is blurred. His words: «I want to create an atmosphere that can be consciously plumbed with seeing.»
Early Life and Education
Artist James Turrell was born in 1937 into a family of Quakers, followers of the Religious Society of Friends. This movement was founded in the seventeenth century in England. Its core values are silence, spiritual reflection, and equality.
Upbringing in a peaceful context instilled in artist James Turrell a respect for silence and an attentive perception of the world. As a child, the artist was often surrounded by nature and silence. This shaped his fascination with exploring the relationship between perception and light.
In the 1950s, James Turrell trained as an artist and a psychologist. This combination helped him realize the mechanism of how light and space influence human emotions. The concept of interaction with the surrounding space became the foundation of all his artistic endeavors.
Upbringing in a peaceful context instilled in artist James Turrell a respect for silence and an attentive perception of the world. As a child, the artist was often surrounded by nature and silence. This shaped his fascination with exploring the relationship between perception and light.
In the 1950s, James Turrell trained as an artist and a psychologist. This combination helped him realize the mechanism of how light and space influence human emotions. The concept of interaction with the surrounding space became the foundation of all his artistic endeavors.
The Beginning of His Creative Path
Creative path of artist James Turrell began with the study of mathematics and psychology, but over time he turned his attention to visual perception. In the 1960s he began experimenting with designing light installations and creating new ways for the viewer to interact with the world around them.
Below is a picture of the conception of techniques and materials that young artist James Turrell chose for his quest.
Below is a picture of the conception of techniques and materials that young artist James Turrell chose for his quest.
Key Works and Projects
The Roden Crater is an entire complex in a remote part of the Arizona desert. At its center is a volcanic crater transformed by artist James Turrell into an observatory of light and space perception. Work on the project began in the 1970s and continues to this day.
The viewer has a unique opportunity to interact with nature and the cosmos. This is an example of the fact that in addition to aesthetic experiences, art can produce scientific research. The project combines the planes of art, astronomy, and architecture.
The viewer has a unique opportunity to interact with nature and the cosmos. This is an example of the fact that in addition to aesthetic experiences, art can produce scientific research. The project combines the planes of art, astronomy, and architecture.
Roden Crater
Creative path of artist James Turrell began with the study of mathematics and psychology, but over time he turned his attention to visual perception. In the 1960s he began experimenting with designing light installations and creating new ways for the viewer to interact with the world around them.
Below is a picture of the conception of techniques and materials that young artist James Turrell chose for his quest.
Below is a picture of the conception of techniques and materials that young artist James Turrell chose for his quest.
The «Skyspaces» Series
The «Skyspaces» series of installations are James Turrell's art objects installed in different parts of the world. The architectural structure of their space is designed to observe the sky through certain frames and openings.
A new perception of clouds, sun, or stars — elements of the familiar surrounding world — emerges. Depending on the time of day and weather conditions, the light transforms, creating unique visual effects. Artist James Turrell's main project goal is to emphasize the interaction of light, color, and space, creating a special perception of the surrounding world.
The viewer is immersed in an atmosphere conducive to meditative contemplation. New horizons for reflection and discovery open up. «Skyspace» James Turrells installations can be found in different places, from museums and galleries to open spaces and natural areas. Each has its unique atmosphere.
A new perception of clouds, sun, or stars — elements of the familiar surrounding world — emerges. Depending on the time of day and weather conditions, the light transforms, creating unique visual effects. Artist James Turrell's main project goal is to emphasize the interaction of light, color, and space, creating a special perception of the surrounding world.
The viewer is immersed in an atmosphere conducive to meditative contemplation. New horizons for reflection and discovery open up. «Skyspace» James Turrells installations can be found in different places, from museums and galleries to open spaces and natural areas. Each has its unique atmosphere.
Other Iconic Installations
«Afrum (White)» is one of the famous artworks of artist James Turrell. In it, light creates the illusion of three-dimensional space. The installation is a rectangular empty room with white walls and bright light squares in the center.
The light penetrates through the holes in the walls, creating the effect of a three-dimensional object. This play of color and shadow demonstrates how the perception of space is altered by light. The viewer is given the illusion of depth and form, although the form does not exist.
The «Ganzfeld» series are James Turrell's works in which unique visual sensations are created through air effects. There is a complete disappearance of boundaries between man and space. «Ganzfeld» represents rooms flooded with homogeneous light, in which the sense of orientation is lost.
List of works geography of artist James Turrell:
Each person has an experience that makes it difficult to perceive the environment. There is an absorption into a world where the boundaries between body, space, and light are erased. Turrell plays with the intensity of light and its distribution. This creates an effect of vastness and timelessness.
The light penetrates through the holes in the walls, creating the effect of a three-dimensional object. This play of color and shadow demonstrates how the perception of space is altered by light. The viewer is given the illusion of depth and form, although the form does not exist.
The «Ganzfeld» series are James Turrell's works in which unique visual sensations are created through air effects. There is a complete disappearance of boundaries between man and space. «Ganzfeld» represents rooms flooded with homogeneous light, in which the sense of orientation is lost.
List of works geography of artist James Turrell:
- United States: Arizona, Texas, and various public and private collections;
- Iceland: Thingvellir National Park;
- Japan: Tokyo;
- Australien: Uluru-Kata Tjuta;
- Europe: Germany and the UK;
- Taiwan: Taipei.
Each person has an experience that makes it difficult to perceive the environment. There is an absorption into a world where the boundaries between body, space, and light are erased. Turrell plays with the intensity of light and its distribution. This creates an effect of vastness and timelessness.
Impact and Legacy
The novelty of the development and social significance determines the author's value for contemporary art. James Turrell's art has inspired more than one iconic figure to change his approaches. The value of his achievements is undeniable, as a whole generation of creators was formed under the influence of James Turrell's concepts. Let's explore why.
Influence on Contemporary Art
Artist James Turrell became the leading representative of a movement that had a significant impact on the development of contemporary art. «Light and Space» emerged in the 1960s in Southern California and expanded the horizons of future generations of creators. Artists including James Turrell utilized light, space, and perception as the main elements of the works.
It had a profound influence on other artists, architecture, and design, changing the way art and perception interacted. James Turrell demonstrated his treatment of space as a living, changing phenomenon.
The transformation of perception creates new forms of experience. Inspired by Brooklyn artist Daniel Buren and British sculptor Anish Kapoor, they also began using light installations to create new visual experiences. Many artists have begun to explore the interaction of light with space.
Works of artist James Turrell, especially the Roden Crater Observatory, led to the perception of architecture as art. There were significant changes in architectural practice. Architects and designers such as Tadao Ando and David Chipperfield began to address light as a fundamental element in designing buildings and public spaces.
It had a profound influence on other artists, architecture, and design, changing the way art and perception interacted. James Turrell demonstrated his treatment of space as a living, changing phenomenon.
The transformation of perception creates new forms of experience. Inspired by Brooklyn artist Daniel Buren and British sculptor Anish Kapoor, they also began using light installations to create new visual experiences. Many artists have begun to explore the interaction of light with space.
Works of artist James Turrell, especially the Roden Crater Observatory, led to the perception of architecture as art. There were significant changes in architectural practice. Architects and designers such as Tadao Ando and David Chipperfield began to address light as a fundamental element in designing buildings and public spaces.
Exhibitions and Recognition
The 2013 exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum in New York was a retrospective. It covered more than 40 years of the artist's oeuvre and showcased his most iconic works. In addition to art lovers, the exhibition attracted architects, designers, and scholars.
Another significant one was the exhibition at the Pompidou Center in Paris in 2015. The light installations exhibited made viewers perceive the space and the world around them in a new way. This event confirmed the importance of James Turrell's approach to the interaction between art and perception.
A meaningful event in the artist's career was an exhibition at the Tate Modern in London in 2009, where James Turrell art including Skyspaces and Ganzfeld were presented.
Awards Top of artist Turrell:
The awards Turrell has received throughout his career reflect recognition from critics, peers, and the academic community.
Another significant one was the exhibition at the Pompidou Center in Paris in 2015. The light installations exhibited made viewers perceive the space and the world around them in a new way. This event confirmed the importance of James Turrell's approach to the interaction between art and perception.
A meaningful event in the artist's career was an exhibition at the Tate Modern in London in 2009, where James Turrell art including Skyspaces and Ganzfeld were presented.
Awards Top of artist Turrell:
- The Wolf Prize for Art and Architecture is one of the most prestigious international awards.
- The National Arts Award from the American Institute of Arts and Architecture.
- NASA award from the scientific community.
The awards Turrell has received throughout his career reflect recognition from critics, peers, and the academic community.
In General
Art Turrell continues to be relevant and in demand to this day. Their ability to change the perception of reality and push the boundaries of art has inspired many creators for a reason.
The approach to altering space with light has gone beyond the visual experience. Deep discoveries and reinterpretations of reality result from immersion in meditative contemplation. The audience had the opportunity to gain a new experience, which is invaluable.
The contemplation of light manipulations opens everyone's horizons to the global laws of the universe. The play of light, shadows, and color intrigues and makes one search for answers to questions. The movement of life speeds up and slows down at the same time. The power of art makes you want to breathe fully every second.
The approach to altering space with light has gone beyond the visual experience. Deep discoveries and reinterpretations of reality result from immersion in meditative contemplation. The audience had the opportunity to gain a new experience, which is invaluable.
The contemplation of light manipulations opens everyone's horizons to the global laws of the universe. The play of light, shadows, and color intrigues and makes one search for answers to questions. The movement of life speeds up and slows down at the same time. The power of art makes you want to breathe fully every second.
