James Turrell believes that human beings are all heliotropic. Heliotropism is the phenomena where plants grow in the direction of light. Turrell claims that like plants, we must feed on light. By walking into one of his light sculpted environments it would be difficult to disagree. His light spaces are hypnotic and mesmerizing, and seem to pacify the soul.
His artwork is varied, but he is best known for creating environments where light is the central focus. He emphasizes subtle shifts in light intensity and color. Turrell is a master of creating, defining, and dissolving edges with light. Some of his spaces are simply hard edged cutouts in ceilings so that a viewer can encounter the subtlties of natural daylight and darkness in a different way. By framing out a section of sky, we perceive the radical contrast between interior and exterior environments. He also paints interior rooms with light which in some cases can seem be infinite.
James Turrell can best explain his work. Here is a video featuring Turell explaining his ideas of light in his own words:
James Turrell (1943 - )
American artist James Turrell studied perceptual psychology at Pomona College before enrolling in studio art at the University of California at Irvine where began his work with light and color. He eventually earned an MA in art from Claremont University.His artwork is varied, but he is best known for creating environments where light is the central focus. He emphasizes subtle shifts in light intensity and color. Turrell is a master of creating, defining, and dissolving edges with light. Some of his spaces are simply hard edged cutouts in ceilings so that a viewer can encounter the subtlties of natural daylight and darkness in a different way. By framing out a section of sky, we perceive the radical contrast between interior and exterior environments. He also paints interior rooms with light which in some cases can seem be infinite.
James Turrell can best explain his work. Here is a video featuring Turell explaining his ideas of light in his own words:
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