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 lighting installations in gallery and outdoor spaces, in which monochrome, diffused light is projected 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 on 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 unified 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 aren’t apparent during the day.”
For the first time, James Turrell has developed and implemented lighting installations as an integral part of a building’s architectural design. Behind this collaboration lies the idea 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, in the wider Hyde Park area, be sure to stop by One Hyde Park and visit its outdoor public spaces for a taste of James Turrell‘s art in the form of a permanent architectural installation.
Text: Katerina Latoufi (Architect)
Source: wallpaper.com
