I wanted to deal with light directly rather than with paint.
James TurrellRead
I feel that buildings often have a workaday aspect that you see during the daylight hours, and a more resplendent side that emerges after dark.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Buildings have a dual nature, appearing mundane by day and beautiful at night.
James Turrell's quote highlights the contrasting perceptions of buildings based on the time of day. During daylight, structures may seem ordinary and functional, serving their practical purpose, but as night falls, special lighting and atmospheric conditions can transform them into stunning visuals, evoking emotions and deeper appreciation in observers.
Themes
BuildingsLightPerceptionNightDaytime
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about urban development, one might use this quote to emphasize the aesthetic importance of architecture after dark.
More from James Turrell
All quotes βIt is only when light is reduced that the pupil opens and feeling goes out of the eyes like touch.
James TurrellRead
I feel that I want to use light as this wonderful and magic elixir that we drink as Vitamin D through the skin - and I mean, we are literally light-eaters - to then affect the way that we see.
James TurrellRead
In many cases, if we knew what it would take, we might have thought twice about it, so it's often wonderful that we don't have hindsight.
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There are different stages when you fly. The first stage is the dollhouse effect, seeing everything on Earth like it's a model. Suddenly, all of your concerns seem very small.
James TurrellRead
Space has a way of looking. It seems like it has a presence of vision. When you come into it, it is there, itβs been waiting for you.
James TurrellRead
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