It is only when light is reduced that the pupil opens and feeling goes out of the eyes like touch.
James TurrellRead
I wanted to deal with light directly rather than with paint.
Interpretation
What this quote means
James Turrell emphasizes the significance of light as a medium in art, prioritizing its natural essence over traditional materials.
In this quote, James Turrell expresses a profound artistic philosophy where he seeks to engage with light itself rather than using paint as a medium. This reflects a desire to explore the inherent beauty and transformative power of light in an experiential way, suggesting that the essence of art can be found in natural elements rather than confined to traditional methods.
Themes
LightArtMediumExperienceCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
In a gallery discussion about contemporary art practices.
More from James Turrell
All quotes →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.
James TurrellRead
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, it’s been waiting for you.
James TurrellRead
I'm known as a light artist. But rather than be someone who depicted light, or painted light in some way, I wanted to have the work be light.
James TurrellRead
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