“What interests me is linking the things we see to the things we see with our eyes closed.
An airplane pilot at the age of 16, James Turrell was incarcerated at the age of 23, and was fascinated from an early age by the effects of the presence or absence of light. This fascination was reinforced by studies in mathematics, geology, astronomy and the psychology of perception. Light, whether natural or artificial, and space are James Turrell’s modes of expression.
In the 1970s, he created 80 skypaces, streamlined rooms in a single color with an opening in the ceiling. Sitting or lying down, spectators can observe the sky as if it were a painting, changing with the rhythm of day and night. The viewer’s bearings are shaken, and he or she enjoys an intimate, meditative experience.
Roden Crater, the work of a lifetime
In 1977, with the help of the DIA Art Foundation, he acquired Roden Crater, a volcanic crater in northern Arizona that had been extinct for 400,000 years. Inspired by science dating back to the dawn of time, notably the sun-aligned temple at Abu Simbel and the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, he modified and converted it into a giant astronomical observatory. The crater was transformed thanks to extensive earthworks aimed at obtaining a precise topographical profile. The horizon, artificially elevated, is organized so as to fully appreciate the sensory experience of the celestial vault.
Comprising 24 capsules and 6 tunnels designed to offer a specific visual or sensory immersion experience, the finished work is due to be unveiled very soon. Specificities of light, celestial and temporal phenomena, winter solstice, summer solstice, will be felt by the naked eye.
Eye of the Crater
In the eye of the crater, four large rectangular pedestals are erected. Here, it will be possible to lie back and contemplate the sky. When night falls, an artificial light is diffused, providing an absolute contrast with the surrounding darkness. This play of light transforms the perception of colors and dimensions, adding a unique depth to the experience.
James Turrell explains:
” My work has no object, no image, no focus, so what are we looking at? We watch ourselves watching. What’s important to me is to create a thought experience without words.”
Photo credits: Florian Holzherr
