| Title |
A Study on the Geometrical Space Composition, Dynamic Visual Perception and Questions of Existence found in the Works of James Turrell - Focusing on 'Wedgework', 'Space Division', 'Skyspace' Projects - |
| Keywords |
James Turrell ; Geometrical Space ; Visual Perception ; Existence ; Infinity |
| Abstract |
Since 1966 when James Turrell completed his studies on Art, he has been working on the consistent theme of Art. For the 46 years of time, site contexts, scales, methods of light have been changed and they made Turrell's unique 'project series'. Each series has different spatial, visual-perceptual forms and characteristics from other series. The differences were caused by the given situations, but also Turrell intentionally pursued it. However, there are essential theme of art that has not changed in most of Turrell's projects. Target of this paper is to study the unchanged theme as well as the differences. The study starts with three questions: first, what is the geometrical space composition?, second, what is the visual-perceptual phenomenon?, third, what is the hidden consistent theme? This research focuses on three case projects: Wedgework, Space Division Constructions, Skyspaces. These project series are in between the early small object-like installations and the late mega-scale outdoor projects. The study found that geometrical space composition has important role to give visual-perceptual dynamism to the viewer. The phenomenological perception is connected to the questions of relationship between human and space, ultimately human and the world. Although the Merleau-Ponty's philosophy has been related to the work of Turrell in various previous studies, Cartesian 3-dimensional geometry has also crucial role to experiment a viewer's perceptual boundaries. Image of infinity is another aspect of three cases, especially Space Division Constructions and Skyspaces. Through these structure, Turrell's work lead to an ultimate question of meaning for human existence in infinite space. It is hoped that this paper is helpful for Architecture and Interior design field in which light and space are essential. |