Artist Blog: Olafur Eliasson 3.28.10

In my class Contemporary Issues in Photography, I was given the assignment of a reading discussing ecstasy(not the drug, the feeling). The text outlined the history of the term and how the emotion can be employed when viewing art. It also included examples of artists which have achieved work worthy of such terminology. One of the privileged artists is Olafur Eliasson. Eliasson is a Danish-Icelandic artist famed for producing a multitude of instillations in public space. The reading described one of his works, The Weather Project (2003). This project was for the Turbine Hall of the Tate Modern in London. Using humidifiers to create a mist and a hundreds of monocrhomatic lamps, Eliasson succeeded in creating an illusion of the sun at twilight. The hall ceiling was covered with a large mirror allowing the visitors to see themselves as tiny black shadows amongst the "sun." The display attracted two million visitors, many who interacted with the piece by laying on the museum ground to bask in the glow.

Eliasson work revolves around bringing the 'natural' phenomena into an unorthodox place. By doing so, he encourages the viewer to consider their physical environment. His works inspire and allow room for contemplation.