James Turrell: House of Light
The only Turrell work that invites overnight guests, in the Niigata countryside
Set in a hillside forest overlooking the town of Tokamachi, the House of Light by James Turrell invites visitors to explore the beauty of light, color and shadow in a traditional Japanese home. Created in 2000 for the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, the design is based on a family house nearby. The main room, "Outside In," has automatic light programs timed to sunrise and sunset and a roof open to the sky. James Turrell was inspired to design the space by Junichiro Tanizaki's book "In Praise of Shadows." While remaining faithful to traditional design, each room of the house bears the mark of Turrell's artistry in light, including a bath whose walls are filled with fiber optics. The House of Light is James Turrell's only work that invites overnight guests, sleeping up to 12. Visitors can also stop by for a daytime viewing. The light program happens twice daily, once just before dawn and once just before dusk; exact timing is confirmed at check-in.
Venue
House of Light (光の館), Uenoko, Tokamachi
Category
Installation ArtTag
Site SpecificStart date
June 2nd, 2020
End date
September 24th, 2027
Audience Role
Day visitors tour a traditional Japanese house transformed by light, while overnight guests can watch the roof slide open to the sky at sunrise and sunset.
Ages: All ages
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Years on EI
About House of Light (Echigo-Tsumari Art Field)
House of Light (光の館) is a work by James Turrell created in 2000 for the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, one of Japan's largest contemporary art festivals. Set in a hillside forest overlooking the town of Tokamachi in Niigata Prefecture, the house was inspired by the use of light in traditional Japanese homes, and by Junichiro Tanizaki's book "In Praise of Shadows." It is James Turrell's only work that invites overnight guests.