A new Skyspace installation by renowned artist James Turrell, titled As Seen Below – The Dome, is scheduled to open at the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum in Denmark in June 2026. This monumental work will be the largest Skyspace created by Turrell to date, marking a significant addition to the museum's offerings and the artist's global portfolio.
Key Takeaways
- James Turrell's largest Skyspace, As Seen Below – The Dome, will open in June 2026.
- The installation will be located at the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum in Denmark.
- It measures 40 meters wide and 16 meters tall, setting a new record for the series.
- The project culminates a decade of planning and the museum's expansion.
A Monumental Vision in Light and Space
The upcoming installation is set to become a focal point for art enthusiasts and visitors to Aarhus. James Turrell, known for his masterful manipulation of light and space, has designed As Seen Below – The Dome to offer a deeply immersive and contemplative experience. The work will debut on June 19, 2026, coinciding with the summer solstice, a fitting date for an artwork that engages directly with natural light.
Measuring an impressive 16 meters in height and 40 meters in width, this Skyspace surpasses all previous installations in the series in scale. Turrell's Skyspaces are celebrated for their ability to alter perception, transforming the act of observation into an art form itself.
Skyspace Facts
- Artist: James Turrell
- Title: As Seen Below – The Dome
- Location: ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, Denmark
- Opening Date: June 19, 2026
- Dimensions: 16 meters tall, 40 meters wide
- Significance: Largest Skyspace installation by Turrell
The Experience of Seeing
A typical Skyspace installation by Turrell involves a domed or enclosed space with a circular opening at its apex. This aperture frames the sky, while carefully controlled artificial light within the chamber subtly shifts colors. These changing light fields interact with the natural light from above, creating an illusion of the sky's color changing, or even the space itself shifting.
Visitors are encouraged to spend time within the installation, allowing their eyes to adjust and their perception to be influenced by the nuanced interplay of light. This meditative quality is a hallmark of Turrell's work, inviting a patient and focused engagement.
"With As Seen Below I’m shaping the experience of seeing rather than delivering an image," James Turrell stated about the project. "The architecture holds the sky close, so you recognize that the act of looking is the work itself."
This statement highlights Turrell's philosophy of treating light as a sculptural medium. He aims to make viewers aware of their own perception, emphasizing color as an experience rather than merely a visual quality. The artist has been working on this specific project for nearly a decade, underscoring its complexity and importance.
Completing the ARoS Museum Expansion
The unveiling of As Seen Below – The Dome will mark the completion of a significant expansion project at the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum. Danish studio Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects led the architectural design for this expansion. The new domed Skyspace chamber is a central element of this development.
Beyond the Skyspace itself, the expansion includes several new architectural features. Visitors will find stepped seating arranged around the rim of the installation, designed to enhance the viewing experience and provide comfortable spaces for contemplation. The exterior of the dome will feature a grass-clad design, integrating the structure seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.
About ARoS Aarhus Art Museum
ARoS Aarhus Art Museum is one of Northern Europe's largest art museums. It is known for its diverse collection, ranging from the Danish Golden Age to contemporary art. The museum gained international recognition with its iconic 'Your rainbow panorama' by Olafur Eliasson, a circular walkway offering panoramic views of the city through colored glass. The new Turrell Skyspace further solidifies ARoS's reputation as a leading institution for experiential art.
A New Era for Experiential Art
In addition to the Skyspace and its surrounding seating, the museum expansion also introduces a new subterranean gallery. This underground space will provide additional exhibition areas, allowing the museum to host a wider range of temporary and permanent installations. An outdoor exhibition space has also been added, offering new opportunities for public art and sculptural displays.
The integration of these new elements demonstrates ARoS Aarhus Art Museum's commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional museum experiences. The focus on immersive and experiential art aligns with contemporary trends in museum design and visitor engagement. The Turrell Skyspace, in particular, promises to be a powerful draw for both local and international visitors, offering a unique encounter with light, color, and perception.
The project represents a substantial investment in cultural infrastructure, aiming to enhance Aarhus's standing as a cultural destination. The collaboration between a world-renowned artist like James Turrell and a prominent architectural firm underscores the ambition behind this endeavor. The 2026 opening will undoubtedly be a landmark event for the art world and the city of Aarhus.
The Artist's Enduring Legacy
James Turrell's career spans over five decades, during which he has consistently explored the properties of light. His work often blurs the lines between natural and artificial light, creating environments that challenge perception. His Skyspaces are perhaps his most famous series, with numerous installations located across the globe, each uniquely interacting with its specific site and sky.
The new Skyspace in Aarhus will join this distinguished collection, further cementing Turrell's legacy as a pioneer in the Light and Space movement. His ability to evoke profound emotional and sensory responses through simple yet powerful interventions of light continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
The anticipation for As Seen Below – The Dome is building, promising an unforgettable experience that encourages deep introspection and a renewed appreciation for the subtle beauty of light and the sky.