In 1960s Los Angeles, members of the Light and Space movement – James Turrell, Mary Corse, Larry Bell, Helen Pashgian – were experimenting with how geometric space and radiant light could impact human perception. Today, these artworks continue to captivate, challenge and fascinate viewers. They transform interior spaces and, increasingly, bring new life to historic or overlooked architectural structures. This list comprises Aesthetica Art Prize alumni who use light and reflection in various innovative ways.
Gillian Hobson | 2023
Researchers estimate that the human eye can distinguish around one million different colours. Yet, there are thought to be an infinite amount of varieties beyond the visible spectrum. Gillian Hobson creates experiential works that consider the potential of light for sustenance and renewal. These works reimagine stained glass for the 21st century, with moving-image projections that combine light rays from natural and artificial sources. Radiance Vertex uses mirrors, reflection and transparent materials to fill public spaces with luminous fragments of colour, offering a new perspective. gillhobson.com | @gill.hobson
Endospace | 2022
The Nest project was created by Endospace in 2020. This project aims to develop new media installations that are reconstructive. The immersive projection re-figures the atmosphere of the space and expands visual language, encapsulating the flow of emotions and spatial cognition. It was built by modular construction to demonstrate multi-situational videos, held in circulation. This artwork intends to present a visualisation of the heart and soul. The final viewing experience offers no narratives or direct interpretation; the audiences are left to reconstruct the experience and observe their own thoughts and feelings amidst the experimental audiovisual. endospace.com.tw | @endospace_tw
Ben Cullen Williams | 2021
Alongside Wayne McGregor’s Living Archive dance project, Williams created a video installation for a live performance titled Living Archive: An AI Performance Experiment. The artist collaborated with Google Arts & Culture to create abstract visualisations of AI-generated choreography that explores ideas of dance as code and vice versa. It questions the new aesthetics that AI presents to us, that don’t necessarily conform to our values, challenging the way we look at the world. Williams explores mankind’s relationship to the world in a rapidly changing environment; he focuses on projects situated on the intersection between space, technology and landscape. bencullenwilliams.net | @bencullenwilliams
Lab212 | 2021
How to use sound and light vibrations to interfere with our bearings and our apprehension of space, whilst giving it a sense of materiality? This work is an imaginary and minimalist landscape, revealing a feeling of luxuriant nature under the visitors’ path, expanding our perceptions of landscape. Lab212 is an interdisciplinary art collective, founded in 2008 in Paris. Using new media, the collective creates installations which explore our perceptions of space and sound. They have exhibited at the Barbican, London, the Museum of Digital Art, Zurich and Le Centre Pompidou, Paris. lab212.org | @lab212_
Buşra Tunç | 2021
In this four-piece site-specific work, bell jars and fluorescents of different sizes are used with distinct qualities and configurations. The piece departs from the aesthetics of “Wunderkammer” (“cabinet of curiosities”) popular in the 16th century – to “keep” and “document.” The fluorescent industrial object clashes with idea of the “Wunderkammer” as the light itself is a phenomenon that cannot adapt to humanity’s practice of preservation. Having studied architecture, cinema and sound, Tunç works with “atmosphere” as a focal point. Tunç often uses industrial structures spaces. busratunc.com | @tuncbu
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Image credits:
1. Gillian Hobson, Radiance Vertex, (2022). Flat glass, dichroic, light. 240cm x 160cm x 60cm.
2. Gillian Hobson, Mirror Stage, (2018). Acrylic, mirror, projection. 240cm x 300cm x 300cm.
3. Endospace – SVA Endospace
4. Ben Cullen Williams, Installation, Autobiography, Contemporary Dance, Directed by Wayne McGregor
5. Passifolia, (2020). Nicolas Guichard & Béatrice Lartigue Lab212. Commissioned by Hermès. 2000 x 1500 x 1000cm.
6. Buşra Tunç, ÄTHER.
