Passages of Light

A fascinating art show that immerses viewers into the work of American artist James Turrell.

A pioneer of the Light and Space art movement that originated in Southern California, James Turrell creates mesmerizing artworks that immerse viewers into a wonderland of color and light. Aptly named Passages of Light, a retrospective exhibition opened at the Mexico-City-based Museo Jumex with the artist’s work from the 1960s and up to the present day. Art lovers can admire both well-known pieces and new installations. The show occupies two floors and provides a fascinating as well as unforgettable experience with galleries bathed in colorful light.

James Turrell’s well-known art statement accompanies the show. “My work has no object, no image and no focus. With no object, no image and no focus, what are you looking at? You are looking at you looking. What is important to me is to create an experience of wordless thought.”

Challenging the viewer’s depth perception, Amesha Spentas from the Ganzfeld series uses light projections to create sequences of shifting hues. The Curved Elliptical Glass from the Gathas series features slower changes in color that remind of a musical piece, while Aural (Ganzfeld) induces an almost meditative state with serene light blue and lilac colors. In another space, the show offers the opportunity to see photos that document the ongoing Roden Crater series. On the second floor the show features a collection of photographs and prints that provides a journey through some of the artist’s earliest work and up to new light experiments using holograms. Passages of Light runs until March 29, 2020. Photographs© Florian Holzherr.