National Gallery of Australia unveils monumental James Turrell ‘Skyspace’

National Gallery of Australia unveils monumental James Turrell ‘Skyspace’ The National Gallery of Australia today unveiled a major new acquisition for the national artcollection, Within without, a monumental ‘Skyspace’ installation by renowned American artist JamesTurrell.]]>

August 18th, 2010 – Source: National Gallery of Australia
The only work of its kind in Australia, the partly subterranean installation creates an immersiveviewing experience that uses space, shape and light to affect the perception of the sky.

Ron Radford AM, Director of the National Gallery of Australia said, “We are thrilled to open thisastonishing work, Within without by James Turrell, one of the world’s most visionary artists.”

“The National Gallery of Australia commissioned Within without the largest Skyspace in the southernhemisphere, and now the largest work in the national collection. One of Turrell’s most complexSkyspaces, the sculpture is prominently located in the new Australian Gardens near the new frontentrance. Within without will provide an inspiring experience for all visitors to the National Gallery”,said Ron Radford.

Entered via a long sloping walkway, the threshold to Within without opens onto a large square-basedpyramid, with red ochre walls. At the centre of the pyramid, a pool of turquoise water flows around acentral chamber, a stupa, made from Victorian basalt.

The simple domed space interior has a bench around the edge. The roof is open to the sky which isframed by an oculus. A moonstone, set into the centre of the floor, echoes the aperture above.Within the installation Turrell reveals his striking centrepiece, the sheer beauty of celestialarchitecture. Light seems more painterly. Movement and sound are intensified and the sky at timesdescends into the space.

“My interest is working with light and space; I have always been fascinated with the range of light atdifferent locations around the world. The opportunity to create a Skyspace for the National Gallery ofAustralia in the clear light of Canberra was not to be missed.