James Turrell’s quest to create the Roden Crater, one of the most ambitious and profound artworks of our time, is an exploration of light, space, and our relationship with the cosmos. As detailed in a recent article, Turrell’s decades-long project in the Arizona desert pushes the boundaries of art and architecture, inviting visitors to engage with the celestial in a deeply personal way.
The article delves into James Turrell’s monumental Roden Crater Project, located in Arizona, which has captivated him since childhood. This vast “naked eye observatory” is designed to connect visitors with light and the cosmos through 27 “sensing spaces” and tunnels that allow natural light to interact with the landscape. While still incomplete, the project is a pioneering feat in art and architecture, reflecting Turrell’s exploration of how light shapes human perception. Despite challenges, the project continues to evolve, with plans for lodges, ceremonial spaces, and a meditative environment. Turrell’s work, driven by a quest for “self-realisation,” invites visitors to experience the celestial without leaving Earth. Read the full article by the Financial Times.
Exploring James Turrell’s transformative art at Tremenheere
His transformative installations, which aim to enhance our understanding of light’s power, resonate strongly at Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, home to two of Turrell’s remarkable pieces. The James Turrell Skyspace and Aqua Oscura at Tremenheere embody the artist’s vision on a more intimate scale, offering a unique opportunity to experience the perceptual and philosophical depth of his work within the serene landscape of Cornwall.
These installations, like Turrell’s larger projects, challenge our perceptions of space, light, and the world around us, encouraging reflection and connection with both the environment and the sky.
James Turrell Skyspace: A moment of stillness
One of Turrell’s most celebrated pieces at Tremenheere is the Skyspace, a stunning structure designed to create a unique interaction between the viewer and the natural world. The Skyspace is a room with an open ceiling, framed to reveal the ever-changing sky above. As daylight transitions into night, the installation subtly alters the surrounding light, offering an ethereal experience that invites contemplation and stillness.
The Skyspace’s lighting shifts in tone and hue throughout the day, transforming the perception of the sky, clouds, and horizon. This calming effect encourages visitors to pause and reflect on their connection to the environment, as well as their own perceptions of light and space.
Aqua Oscura: A hidden world beneath
Tremenheere also houses Turrell’s Aqua Oscura, a more enigmatic installation that invites visitors to engage with a deeper, more immersive experience. Located under a canopy of trees, within a Victorian water tank, in a secluded area of the garden, Aqua Oscura explores the interplay of light in a dark environment. As with all of Turrell’s works, this installation is designed to encourage visitors to reconsider their surroundings and how they perceive the world around them.
Using just a pinhole aperture, natural light and an angled mirror, he projects an image onto the wall of the subterranean tank that cannot immediately be seen with the naked eye in the complete darkness. After some time of sensory deprivation, the viewer’s brain and eyes adjust, allowing them to see the image of the sky and tree canopy above.
An exceptional opportunity at Tremenheere
The two James Turrell installations at Tremenheere offer visitors an exceptional opportunity to experience the artist’s work in a breathtaking natural setting. These installations not only add to the garden’s rich cultural offering but also deepen the connection between art, nature, and the human experience. Whether you’re standing beneath the vast sky in the Skyspace or immersed in the calming depths of Aqua Oscura, Turrell’s work promises to leave a lasting impression.
Tremenheere Gardens continues to be a beacon for contemporary art in Cornwall, and with Turrell’s installations, it remains an unmissable destination for art lovers and nature enthusiasts alike.