James Turrell Skyspace

James Turrell's Skyspace - reconfiguring our notions of familiar nature.

Through simple setting and geometry, Turrell effectively re-works our understanding and perception of the simple natural elements around us that we take for granted.

By framing the sky in this certain way, the viewer is confronted with a new view of the familiar, whereby they come away from the work with a new perspective.

The simple geometry acts in its favour, as a clean frame to capture the ever-changing view. Creating a view-finder of sorts, Turrell makes the viewer isolate a specific view, which will never be the same. Each individual will experience the work very differently, given its fluid time-frame.

Turrell considers his work to be present at times of sunrise and sunset, given the intensity of the colours. During these times coloured lights illuminate the walls and contrast the natural skylight in the oculus. This affects the way we see the sky and the way we experience James Turrell's art.

The place itself provides a quiet and contemplative space for the viewer.

Given its ever -changing nature, visitors are encouraged to experience the work multiple times and at different times of day to see the great range of colour, and it will never be the same twice.

The projected light changes the perception of the sky, from something that can be overwhelmingly large and impossible to narrow down and percieve. The work instead isolates and simplifies the experience, and with the addition of colour, it gives the familiar experience a whole new sensation.

‘Encounter’ has recently been reazlied in Mexico’s botanical gardens of Culiacan. Turrell has realized this site-specific installation specifically for the site’s natural setting.

It is known for forming perceptual light experiences that create an atmosphere of reflection and introspection.

Visitors enter the skyspace through a narrow aperture set within a grassy dome where they encounter the chamber, which allows viewers to experience the interaction between the evolving colors of the sky, and the changing, luminous hues projected on a circular orb surrounding. The altered perspective intensifies the effect that the tonal range between dawn and dusk innately generates in our conscience and human awareness.

Turrell effectively presents the viewers with the familiar view of the sky in a completely new setting, which alters our perspective and makes us question our set understanding of the familiar.