Back in February, Edward Lifson rightly questioned the openness and location of the skyspace, in terms of traffic noise at the busy intersection interrupting the meditative nature of the installation. Apparently this concern has been addressed, since in warm months "curtains of water will fall continuously between alternating pairs of the support columns to soften the sound and sight of traffic and pedestrian activity."
Photo by Robert Dupuis Devlin, UIC
My concern has more to do with the visual distractions that arise from having the sides being open, a condition made for obvious security reasons. Most of Turrell's skyspaces are immersive environments, meant to close off the visitor from all surroundings but the sky. In this case, the visitor will probably see movement and light in the periphery even while looking up at the sky. This makes any meditative experience difficult if not impossible, though the water should cut down on this distraction a little bit.
Photo by Robert Dupuis Devlin, UIC
My other concern is regarding the elliptical oculus. Most openings in these installations tend to be square, with the occasional circle. I think the square openings are easier to construct than circular openings and much easier to construct than elliptical openings, meaning that the viewer might be distracted by things like curves not be tangent, as in the image below.
Photo by Edward Lifson
Regardless, Turrell's skyspaces are meant to be experienced. Their power to affect our senses cannot be conveyed in photographs (as much as I've tried). So over the weekend I'll have to visit the new skyspace and see for myself how well it works or doesn't.
In further Turrell news, another one of his skyspaces recently opened in the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Read about it here and here.
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