KeiSei Magazine
  • Fashion
    • Style
    • Ethical Talks
    • Editorials
  • Beauty
    • Skincare
    • Beauty Edit
  • Lifestyle
    • Wellbeing
    • Culture
    • Home
    • Guides
  • Inspiration
    • In Conversation With
    • The Climate Optimist
    • Editors Journal
    • Book Club
  • Shop
    • Fashion
      • Tops
      • Bottoms
      • Knitwear
      • Dresses & Jumpsuits
      • Outwear
      • Activewear
      • Jeans
    • Accessories
      • Bags
      • Hats & Bonnets
      • Scarves
      • Shoes
    • Beauty
      • Skincare
      • Hair
      • Body
      • Make-up
KeiSei Magazine
  • Fashion
    • Style
    • Ethical Talks
    • Editorials
  • Beauty
    • Skincare
    • Beauty Edit
  • Lifestyle
    • Wellbeing
    • Culture
    • Home
    • Guides
  • Inspiration
    • In Conversation With
    • The Climate Optimist
    • Editors Journal
    • Book Club
  • Shop
    • Fashion
      • Tops
      • Bottoms
      • Knitwear
      • Dresses & Jumpsuits
      • Outwear
      • Activewear
      • Jeans
    • Accessories
      • Bags
      • Hats & Bonnets
      • Scarves
      • Shoes
    • Beauty
      • Skincare
      • Hair
      • Body
      • Make-up
0

Wishlist

Please, add your first item to the wishlist

  • Culture

Exploring Mindfulness Through The Art Of James Turrell

  • 5 minute read
Installation view, James Turrell,
Installation view, James Turrell, February 11 - Aug 14, 2020, Pace Gallery, London © James Turrell. Photo: Damian Griffiths

August 3, 2020 – By Tess Hardy

As galleries are reopening to the public, we visit the work of James Turrell using art as a revelation – culture you cannot miss.

Art galleries are slowly shifting back to normality from curated online exhibitions and digital walk-throughs. American artist, James Turrell, epitomises the artistic use of colour and perception. His contemporary installations and projections are particularly focused on these areas, in conjunction with light and space.

We were fortunate enough to visit James Turrell’s exhibition at Pace Gallery in London before the country went into lockdown. It’s now reopened to the public, alongside its digital version, and we want you to know about it!

On View: James Turrell

James Turrell is my absolute favourite artist. I first visited a James Turrell exhibition four years ago when I travelled to Houghton Hall in Norfolk during my university years. I didn’t think much could top that exhibition, but that’s the magic in Turrell’s work – it never fails to provide an experience.

Born in 1943 and now 77 years old, Turrell received a degree from the early 1960s onwards in perceptual psychology, from Pomona College in Claremont, California, followed by a degree in art from Claremont Graduate University. 

His skill as a pilot and additional studies of mathematics, geology and astronomy all inform his practice in investigating ways of extending and enhancing perception through light and indeterminate space.

Installation view, James Turrell
Installation view, James Turrell, February 11 - Aug 14, 2020, Pace Gallery, London © James Turrell. Photo: Damian Griffiths

Colour and Perception: An Artistic Revelation

Explanations of how we perceive have long been manifested in the arts. Colour and light are two of the simplest yet sensorial aspects of existence. They are complicated areas of study, which highly depend on perception. The approaches taken towards perception itself remain ambiguous. Is perception internal or external? Does it solely depend on the powers of the eye, or is it also affected by peripheral space?

‘Perception itself, the eye-brain of man, holds responsibility for everything’, as it is the ability to become aware through the senses, to interpret or gain insight and understanding through intuition.

The contemporary art of James Turrell turns perception into pure experiences through the use of space, light and colour. For Turrell, the role of colour is to make his work aesthetically pleasing, as well as to entice elements of psychological emotion.

So, what can you expect to see?

Turrell’s principal concern to capture light in an art form, through the merger of art and technology, has led him to explore how we see. He has stated,

“My work is more about your seeing than it is about my seeing, although it is a product of my seeing.”

By capturing light in a dark space, this juxtaposition successfully creates illusions of atmospheric perspective.

Turrell’s emphasis on “the act of seeing is an act of feeling” is disclosed in his London exhibition. Viewing his art provokes an immediate reaction – which for myself is a positive experience. 

Encompassed in Turrell’s Constellation series are wall-based shapes of curved glass within which LEDs are designed to gradually change in colour over a considerable length of time. The prolonged intervals between the subtle and strong hues help to assert appreciation and admiration of the sublime field of colours. Moreover, the action of attentively watching them with an active, enquiring mind allows for a silent, yet sentient understanding of the notion behind Turrell’s work.

Installation view, James Turrell, February 11 - Aug 14, 2020, Pace Gallery, London © James Turrell. Photo: Damian Griffiths

Turrell appreciates the basis of perception as “pure experience” – a mindful experience of instantaneous apprehension by means of ideas and sensations. This moves beyond art as an object, instead concentrating on “the act of seeing” and creating art as pure, insightful experiences. Turrell clearly states his intention for the viewer to be conscious of the act of perception:

“You are looking at you looking. What is important to me is to create an experience of wordless thought.”

This appears to be a sense of art appreciation at its most self-reflective. If one is willing to be open-minded and invest time in the observation of Turrell’s art, then there is a chance for the experience to heighten reflection. The more you look, contemplate and observe, the more you absorb the work and its beauty.

As an artist of the sublime himself, Turrell has contributed to contemporary colour theory with sensation-based art. However, from the viewer’s perspective and personal experience, it is difficult to distinguish a true perception under the visual conditions of Turrell’s installations. 

The power of sight becomes impaired by the total loss of depth perception through the controlled use of light and niche colours. Furthermore, the initial intensity of Turrell’s installations appears to fade steadily into less forceful doses of colour. This is due to perceptions of transience, however, and not the feature of colour itself.

© James Turrell, courtesy Pace Gallery
The exhibition experience as a whole raises the viewer’s state of consciousness. Meditative thought and inspiration impact the brain as the artwork confronts the viewer’s powers of observation. This exhibition is an excellent opportunity which may help to lesson people’s anxieties in our current situation. You can pull away from your phone, forget external matters and experience spiritual or psychedelic effects from the hypnotic, looping shift of colour.

The Essence of Pace Gallery

Pace Gallery is the perfect venue for this exhibition. Its small capacity creates a safe haven, offering a sense of exclusivity and security. The open-plan room holds nothing but the artwork. You can sit down in front of the art for a moment of mindful contemplation, or walk up close to see how your eyes are perceiving each piece.

Installation view, James Turrell, February 11 - Aug 14, 2020, Pace Gallery, London © James Turrell. Photo: Damian Griffiths

The multi-sensory and mindful experience of James Turrell is an artistic revelation. His fascination with colour existence and perception are of paramount importance to the visual arts. Although we are surrounded by colour and we constantly perceive, this tends to be overlooked in everyday life. Art has the powerful ability to enhance each element considerably. As notably stated by Turrell, we are looking at ourselves looking, reiterating how art can heighten the viewer’s surroundings and sense of self. Furthermore, one can establish that the relationship between colour and perception is one of interdependence; there is a mutual reliance. Without colour, what does one see? Equally, how can one perceive colour without perception?

James Turrell’s exhibition is open to the public with advance booking until Friday 14th August. For a profound and pure experience of his perceptual work, you can schedule a visit by appointment via email here, or make a reservation here.

If you’re unable to visit the exhibition in person, you can visit the gallery’s online viewing room here.

Tess Hardy

Tess Hardy

Tess is a Fine Art graduate from the University of Lincoln, now based in South London, having recently been awarded the industry Gold Standard for the NCTJ Diploma in Practical Magazine/Multimedia Fast-Track Journalism with Press Association Training. She is highly passionate about writing for the creative industries, covering fashion, culture and lifestyle. You can find her on Instagram @tessrvw.

Download The Ultimate Guide To Creating A Sustainable Home

Free Download
Tess Hardy

Previous Article
Body Ideals & The Rise Of Inclusivity
  • Culture
  • LIFESTYLE

Body Ideals And The Rise Of Inclusivity

View Post
Next Article
Miranda Priestly via giphy
  • Culture

How Netflix’s Next In Fashion Challenges Industry Stereotypes

View Post

KeiSei Weekly:

Sign-Up For A Weekly Dose Of Sustainable Lifestyle Inspiration

You May Also Like
The Ultimate Guide To Creating A Sustainable Home
View Post
  • Guides
  • Home

The Ultimate Guide To Creating A Sustainable Home

  • Cecilia Toro
  • April 6, 2022
A modern, minimalistic living room with muted, natural tones and modern furniture. Photographed by Nicole Franzen.
View Post
  • Home

We Need To Talk About Fast Homeware

  • Ellen Prizeman
  • April 6, 2022
Alicja Kwade, "Big Be-Hide", 2017. photo by Maija Toivanen:Helsinki Biennial⁣⁣
View Post
  • Culture

What Does Sustainability Mean For The Art World?

  • Eleonora Cerasoli
  • April 6, 2022
View Post
  • Home

How To Implement The Danish Principles Of Hygge

  • Raegan Rubin
  • April 6, 2022
living space
View Post
  • Home

Get Cosy For Autumn With These Sustainable Interior Trends

  • Sophie Weissensteiner
  • April 6, 2022
Intentional Shopping: How To Shop Mindfully On A High Street Budget
View Post
  • ETHICAL TALKS

Intentional Shopping: How To Shop Mindfully On A High Street Budget

  • Charlotte Hope-Shannon
  • January 11, 2022
bathroom
View Post
  • Home

How To Give Your Bathroom A Sustainable Makeover

  • Lily Corcoran
  • April 6, 2022
5 Tips for Dealing with Climate News
View Post
  • The Climate Optimist

Awareness Hurts & That’s OK, 5 Tips for Dealing with Climate News

  • Anne Therese Gennari
  • December 22, 2021

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

KeiSei Weekly

Sign-Up for more Inspiration on Sustainable Living and Style Direct to Your Inbox

⁠ 57 5
Want to be in on a secret? ⁠ 42 2
Skincare or hair care? ⁠ 36 2
Have you been invited to a Halloween party and need some inspiration? ⁠ 25 1
Are you making the most of the cocooning season? ⁠ 37 2
Have you tried rental fashion yet?⁠ 41 3
KeiSei Magazine
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Terms of service
  • Privacy policy
© 2020 KeiSei Magazine Ltd.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT