Time & Light

Visual Language II
Lyssa Palu-ay SF 186 Aspects and Elements of Time

“Turrell’s work allows us to see ourselves “seeing.” Whether harnessing the light at sunset or transforming the glow of a television set into a fluctuating portal, Turrell’s art places viewers in a realm of pure experience.”

Objective: The Objective of this exercise is to research an ancient model of time keeping and to analyze one’s relationship to time through light. Respond to this work by recreating or inventing a new form of keeping time.

Description: Since pre-historic times humans have tried to find ways to mark and capture time. The movement of the sun, moon and stars were tangible symbols of human’s relationship to time and the landscape around them. In ancient cultures our relationship with time was on a very different plane. People kept time and paid attention to the seasons in a way that slowed Time down.

Project: Post all responses to questions on your blog.

1. Research: An ancient model of keeping time.
-Who were they
-Why did they keep time?
-Did their relationship to time reflect inherent beliefs?
-What did they keep time with?
-Who were the time keepers?

2. Analysis:
A.-Make 3 digital photographs of the same space/landscape/room which will have available light from the outdoors coming into the area
-Photograph this space 3 different times of the day: early morning, mid-day, sunset or evening

B. -Describe the quality of light, objects, space etc. during these different times of the day.
- Describe what is happening in the space during each of these times.
-If a person were blind how would you describe the most interesting time of day to them?

3. Respond to your Research by recreating or inventing a new form of keeping time. Make Drawings/Photographs/Perform the invention to illustrate your response.
Read:
-Handout: May, Susan, Meteorologica, 2003 in: Olafur Eliasson. The Weather project, Tate Modern, London, 2004.
-Visit: James Turrell at the ICA see attached sheet-

Artists to consider:
O lafure Liasson- http://www.olafureliasson.net/publ_text/texts.htmlider
James Turrell - www.pbs.org/art21/artists/turrell/ - 54k
Part 1&2: Due Jan. 29 Part 3 Due: Feb. 5