The American artist James Turrell has been experimenting with light and optical phenomena since the 1960s, working “with the precision of a scientist, the lyricism of a poet and the zeal of a visionary.”
His best-known works are his light installations in gallery and outdoor spaces – projections of monochrome, diffused light in the form of simple geometric shapes.
One of his most recent projects is the lighting of the interior and exterior spaces of the residential building One Hyde Park in London.
The residential building stands at the edge of London’s well-known Hyde Park. It was designed by the architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, with interiors by Candy & Candy, who asked James Turrell for a cohesive lighting proposal that would blend harmoniously with the building’s architectural design.
As the artist himself explains, “I like to ‘extend’ the life of a building into the night as well. With light you can bring out features of the architecture that are not apparent during the day.”
For the first time, James Turrell has developed and implemented light installations as part of a fully integrated architectural design. Behind the idea of this collaboration lies the concept of ‘living with art‘.
James Turrell succeeds in transforming the entire residential building into one enormous work of art.
If you find yourself in London and the wider Hyde Park area, be sure to stroll past One Hyde Park and visit the exterior, public spaces – for a taste of the art of James Turrell in the form of a permanent architectural installation.
Text: Katerina Latoufi (Architect)
Source: wallpaper.com
