Robert Irwin
Robert Irwin was born in Long Beach, California in 1928. Graduating from college as a double major in philosophy and cultural history, art wasn't exactly a focus (issuu.com). He started out in the art world as an Abstract Expressionist painter, but by 1960 dove headfirst into the 'light and space' movement. This movement "was concerned with how geometric shapes and use of light could affect the environment and perception of the viewer"(artsy.net). Robert Irwin's main goal with his art was to respond the atmosphere in the world around him. He uses a vast array of materials including lights of various colors, as well as acrylic columns. Each piece combines the conceptual idea of being present within a space, as well as the physicality of having simplistic objects placed in a space in order to change the atmosphere. It also allows you to take notice of your space.
A lot of his work focuses on the viewer's perception of a space, and manages to twist it so that the viewer questions the space they are in and the place they have in it. In speaking about his own artwork, Robert Irwin once said that, "The column was an indication of my wanting to get out and treat the environment itself, I don’t mean in the sense of building buildings or being an architect, but rather of dealing with the quality of a particular space in terms of its weight, its temperature, its tactileness, its density, its feel – all those semi-intangible things that we don’t normally deal with"(Ace Gallery). Ace Gallery states, "beyond creating an environment, Irwin invites the individual to confront his or her perceptions on space." Robert has been quoted as saying that "the purpose of art is the constant discovering of the world" (galleristny), which I find to be highly reflected in his work.
Looking at his work below, entitled Light and Space II, you get a very good sense of what Robert Irwin is trying to accomplish as a conceptual artist. Having seen the third part to the Light and Space series in person, I can say that the simplistic look of the lights makes you take notice of the space that surrounds you. The grid-like pattern reflects light off of the white space and reflective surfaces in the spaces in which they are placed in. Since most of Robert Irwin's work is site-specific, I find it interesting that by using fluorescent lighting on reflective floors, he seems to be creating a box of light in which the viewer steps into and is surrounded by. With this piece particularly, you almost feel lighter and cleaner walking into it. This work reflects back to the self and how we not only perceive ourselves, but how the space we are in affects who we are and how we see ourselves in the world.
Thinking to the conceal project, Robert Irwin uses the site specificity to enhance the viewer's experience of his work. He focuses on the environment around him and responds to it. In a similar way, this is what chameleon's and people in danger do as well, respond to the changing environment around them. We can look to Robert Irwin as an example of how we can use basic design to respond to the space we are in. He helps a lot with this project by reflecting that we can conceal or alter space in more than one way. Sometimes concealing in order to take notice, or altering in a way in his case, is more important than hiding something.
A lot of his work focuses on the viewer's perception of a space, and manages to twist it so that the viewer questions the space they are in and the place they have in it. In speaking about his own artwork, Robert Irwin once said that, "The column was an indication of my wanting to get out and treat the environment itself, I don’t mean in the sense of building buildings or being an architect, but rather of dealing with the quality of a particular space in terms of its weight, its temperature, its tactileness, its density, its feel – all those semi-intangible things that we don’t normally deal with"(Ace Gallery). Ace Gallery states, "beyond creating an environment, Irwin invites the individual to confront his or her perceptions on space." Robert has been quoted as saying that "the purpose of art is the constant discovering of the world" (galleristny), which I find to be highly reflected in his work.
Looking at his work below, entitled Light and Space II, you get a very good sense of what Robert Irwin is trying to accomplish as a conceptual artist. Having seen the third part to the Light and Space series in person, I can say that the simplistic look of the lights makes you take notice of the space that surrounds you. The grid-like pattern reflects light off of the white space and reflective surfaces in the spaces in which they are placed in. Since most of Robert Irwin's work is site-specific, I find it interesting that by using fluorescent lighting on reflective floors, he seems to be creating a box of light in which the viewer steps into and is surrounded by. With this piece particularly, you almost feel lighter and cleaner walking into it. This work reflects back to the self and how we not only perceive ourselves, but how the space we are in affects who we are and how we see ourselves in the world.
Thinking to the conceal project, Robert Irwin uses the site specificity to enhance the viewer's experience of his work. He focuses on the environment around him and responds to it. In a similar way, this is what chameleon's and people in danger do as well, respond to the changing environment around them. We can look to Robert Irwin as an example of how we can use basic design to respond to the space we are in. He helps a lot with this project by reflecting that we can conceal or alter space in more than one way. Sometimes concealing in order to take notice, or altering in a way in his case, is more important than hiding something.
http://galleristny.com/2012/09/blink-and-youll-miss-it-robert-irwin-brings-his-mind-bending-art-to-new-york/
http://issuu.com/quint_contemporary_art/docs/irwin_reviews/1?e=0
http://www.acegallery.net/press_release/IRWIN_BHPR.pdf
http://www.pacegallery.com/artists/211/robert-irwin
https://artsy.net/gene/light-and-space-movement
http://issuu.com/quint_contemporary_art/docs/irwin_reviews/1?e=0
http://www.acegallery.net/press_release/IRWIN_BHPR.pdf
http://www.pacegallery.com/artists/211/robert-irwin
https://artsy.net/gene/light-and-space-movement