James Turrell

I watched this Ted Talks podcast after class today, which inspired me to write about James Turrell, one of the artists that appeared in Rober Hughes American Visions: Age of Anxiety. The podcast was a presentation by lighting architect Rogier Van der Heide entitled "Why Light Needs Darkness." It was a really fascinating talk (and it can be watched for free through iTunes!). The point that Van der Heide makes is that one of the only reasons we as humans appreciate light is because of the presence of darkness. Because there is a contrast, we see the beauty in light. James Turrell really hones in on light in his artwork. What really caught my eye in the video we watched in class today was the Roden Crater in Arizona. From my knowledge, it isn't open, and from the research I've done, it sounds like it's under some strict supervision. Otherwise, I'd be planning a road-trip down to AZ to sneak into the Roden Crater because it sounds like a celestial experience. He transformed this crater into a gorgeous piece of art, focusing on light and observation of our skies. It looks truly beautiful and humbling. Here are some photos (from deputy-dog.com):

I want to go so badly! Anyway, we were given some questions to answer about the artist.

How does the artist utilize material/media/found object, in an art historical context, versus a contemporary context?

What's great about this piece is that he references history in the natural human desire to question our existence by looking to the skies. We often forget to look up, to gaze at stars, to appreciate the sun in our day-to-day lives. Humans have been building massive structures to do just that for hundreds of years. Look at Machu Picchu, look at the Great Pyramids; we just want to see the universe! Obviously, James Turrell is using products that were not available in previous times, but the message he's sending is universal across the life-span of homosapiens.

How do these materials inform the meaning of the piece?

The main "material" Turrell wants his visitors to focus on is the skies, and possibly the crater itself. The structure and what it's made of is not of focus, but the light and the view of the sky is. There is no painting, there is no work, and as was stated in the film we watched in class "the artwork takes place behind the viewer's eyes," which is such a beautiful concept.

What site was chosen for the artwork?

A volcanic crater in northern Arizona near Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. It is remote, and very difficult to find.

How does the site/place inform the meaning of the artwork?

Because it is so remote, it gives it a sense of being special and an extraordinary thing. The fact that it is in Arizona doesn't mean much, but this is the first time a volcanic crater has ever been transformed to this extent for any purpose, especially artistic. It sounds like it would be a heavenly experience to visit Roden Crater and I cannot wait to someday visit. He truly uses the form of the Earth to not only create meaning, but to intensify it. I'm really excited about this!