James Turrell

A Retrospective

Michael Govan

Recommended By

Book Reviews

One of Kanye West's favorite books.

Book Synopsis

"James Turrell" by Michael Govan offers a comprehensive exploration of the life and work of renowned contemporary artist James Turrell. This book delves into Turrell's groundbreaking contributions to the field of light and space art, showcasing his transformative installations and immersive environments.

Govan delves into Turrell's early years, discussing his upbringing and the influences that shaped his artistic vision. From his encounters with the Basque people in the American Southwest to his exposure to Quakerism, Turrell's background is illustrated as a significant foundation for his later artistic endeavors.

The book examines Turrell's mastery of light and his ability to manipulate perception, inviting readers to appreciate the profound impact of his work. With vivid descriptions and stunning visuals, readers are guided through Turrell's key installations, such as Roden Crater, Skyspaces, and Ganzfelds, showcasing his transformative use of color, shape, and illusion.

Govan delves into Turrell's approach to spirituality and his belief in light as an elemental force. He explores Turrell's collaborations with architects and scientists, who have assisted him in realizing his ambitious projects. Through interviews and behind-the-scenes insights, readers gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for Turrell's innovative artistic practice.

"James Turrell" celebrates the artist's profound contributions and invites readers to contemplate the power of perception and the transformative experience of art. With its concise and precise writing style, this book serves as an indispensable resource for art enthusiasts, scholars, and anyone seeking to immerse themselves in the visionary world of James Turrell.

Explore More Books

See All
Behave
Body by Science
The Fatal Conceit
More Than Enough
The Woman I Wanted to Be
This Is Your Brain on Music
What Technology Wants
Tao of Philosophy
Probability Theory
Deep Learning
Birth of a Theorem
An Unquiet Mind
Product Design for the Web
Brave New Medicine
The Silk Roads
Consciousness Medicine
In Patagonia
Play Bigger
The Upright Thinkers
Filters Against Folly
No Future Without Forgiveness
The New One Minute Manager
Learned Optimism
Painting and Experience in Fifteenth-Century Italy
Radical Uncertainty
Seven Brief Lessons on Physics
State of the Art
Portraits of Interiors
The Constitutional Convention
American Lion
The Politics Industry
SuperFreakonomics
Born Standing Up
Frames of Mind
The Sleep Revolution
The Healing Journey
The Great Convergence
Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart
The Second Mountain
The Watchman's Rattle
One Billion Hungry
The Eden Project
The Book of Awakening
High Fidelity
My Brother Ron
Reality Is Not What It Seems
Into Thin Air
Calculus Made Easy
Tree Crops
René Girard's Mimetic Theory
She Has Her Mother's Laugh
The Status Syndrome
On the Genealogy of Morals
Shortcut
Why Information Grows
How to Stop Worrying and Start Living
Jack
Economics in One Lesson
Way of the Warrior Kid 3
Breath
Everything Happens For a Reason
The Soul of the World
Water in Plain Sight
Anna Karenina
Call of the Reed Warbler
Metaphors We Live By
The Copernican Revolution
Blankie
Getting Past No
The Undercover Economist
Rick and Morty Book Three
Fooled By Randomness
Build The Life You Want
DMT: The Spirit Molecule
The Jungle Book
The Great Crash of 1929
Data-Driven Marketing
Matter
Sapiens
The Jordan Rules
Black Flags
Modern Man in Search of a Soul
We Wish To Inform You
The Reasonableness of Christianity
Beyond The Blue
Feeding the Dragon
Posterity: Letters of Great Americans to Their Children
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
A Woman Makes a Plan
Trauma
Essentialism
Humans Need Not Apply
On Grief and Grieving
The Graveyard Book
Down to Earth
Food and Nutrition
Mindware
Amusing Ourselves to Death
Rick and Morty Book One
Unravelling the Double Helix