Contemporary sites of contemplation: contemplative nature of the aesthetic experience of natural and transformed landscape in Roden Crater by James Turrell and Lucid Stead by Philip K. Smith
Polish Journal of Landscape Studies July 31, 2019 DOI: 10.14746/pls.2019.4.5.9 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that James Turrell's Roden Crater and Philip K. Smith's Lucid Stead can be understood as artworks grounded in the artists' play with light, and that the presence of light in relation to each work's structure is one factor that engenders a contemplative attitude in the beholder. |
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to offer an interpretation of two contemporary art works: James Turrell’s Roden Crater and Philip K. Smith’s Lucid Stead. They are seen as projects that may be qualified as examples of art based on the artists’ playing with light. The claim being that one of the factors that engenders a contemplative attitude on behalf of the beholder is the presence of light in relation to the artwork’s structure.