THE ANNUAL GREEN BOX ARTS FESTIVAL BRINGS THE FIRST-EVER JAMES TURRELL SKYSPACE TO COLORADO.
THIS SUMMER, American artist James Turrell will showcase his first permanent Skyspace installation in the state of Colorado—and the first in the world to be positioned on the side of a mountain. The artwork will headline this year’s Green Box Arts Festival, an annual gathering of art, dance and music held in Green Mountain Falls, just northwest of Colorado Springs.
Every Skyspace by James Turrell is unique. “Twilight Epiphany,” located on the Rice University campus, is acoustically engineered to host musical performances. PHOTO BY CAMERON DURHAM/UNSPLASH
Turrell is known worldwide as a contemporary light and space artist who cultivates powerful environmental works of art that focus on human perception. His Skyspaces are creative observatories that feature a combination of architecture, sculpture and atmosphere positioned perfectly in nature. Each of the more than 80 pieces the artist has designed throughout the world features a chamber with an aperture in the ceiling for viewing from within.
The artist will construct the Skyspace with natural stone and wood indigenous to Colorado. Set in an aspen grove on Red Butte, his installation will overlook Gazebo Lake, and a new trailhead will lead hikers from the center of town to the Skyspace, where they can immerse themselves in this new experiential work of art.
The Green Box Arts Festival, running June 21 to July 11, embraces experimentation in dance, music and public art in a spectacular mountain setting. The festival will also feature the world premiere of new choreography by New York’s American Ballet Theatre, music by The Reminders and artwork from painter Cat Balco. Festivalgoers can attend classes and camps, including yoga sessions and cooking demonstrations. Green Mountain Falls, 719.219.5144, greenboxarts.org
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