James Turrell: Gard Blue

James Turrell: Gard Blue

James Turrell’s Gard Blue installation is a very intriguing work of art. I am very impress on what he did with light. He displayed light in many different aspects. James Turrell is basically displaying the power of light. He displayed how light can be an illusion. Throughout Turrell’s Gard Blue installation illusions of light are shown. When looking at all of works of art you’re trying figure out how is the light doing what you see. Is the light coming at you, is it in the wall, where is the light? These are some of the question you ask yourself.

Through Turrell’s illusions of light he creates many variations of affects that can be done with light. One of these variations of effects with light is reflecting the light.  Reflecting is the action of bending light on a mirror or shiny surface. Reflecting light can be very fun because you can reflect light from many different angles. Without light being able to reflect we would not be able to see our self in a mirror.

Light does not only reflect but light refracts as well. Another variation of light affects Turrell used is refraction. Refracting light is the change in direction of a light when passing from one medium to another in which it has a different velocity. Refracting light is easily seen when you see light pass through a window. When  you see the light from that window it has been refracted because it has passed through that medium . Simply put any natural light you have in your house or building is refracted light.

Light is powerful and allows us to see things. Light can be natural, artificial, and created by using nature like making a camp fire with a flint stone.  Light can be very dangerous. Natural light from the sun if looked at for too long can make you blind. Artificial light can electrocute you while changing the bulb. Light created by nature such as fire can burn your skin if touched. Light can be dangerous , however it is our greatest alley because allows us to see.