This is entry #33 in our 100 Philosophers, 100 Artworks, 100 Words Series.

Philosopher: Amy Kind (Claremont McKenna College)

Artwork: Turrell Skyspace, Dividing the Light (2007) by James Turrell. Architectural installation at Pomona College, Claremont, CA (here).

Words: The brochure describing this piece notes that “Turrell’s art places viewers in a realm of pure experience.” I’m not sure exactly what that means, but there’s something about being there on a hot summer evening, watching the sky darken against the changing backdrop of colored light, listening to the gentle burbling of the infinity pool, that does make the rest of the world melt away. The experience is at once one of great intensity and great peace.