LUX exhibit explores light and space
Light and space are the main elements in the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art exhibit “Lux.”
Showing throughout the duration of the 2012-13 school year, Lux was put together by curator Deborah Banerjee of and is a compilation of art that showcases how light and space play a role in a viewer’s perception of art.
The exhibit is free of charge but a three dollar donation is encouraged to help fund the museum. Lux has many pieces from the Los Angeles area from artists who have been influenced by the light and space movement of the 1970’s.
“This museum is for students and the community to participate in the arts,” said Janet Hancock, museum registrar. “We want to allow a way for students to have affordable access to art.”
Hancock said the art in Lux was mostly donated to the museum’s permanent collection. Donations come primarily from collectors wanting to give the pieces a place where people can enjoy them.
As curator, Banerjee is the editor and manager of the exhibit. She put together the artwork and came up with the concept of Lux. Banerjee oversees the care, exposure, and explanation of the exhibit.
“Lux is Latin for ‘light’,” Banerjee said. “I wanted the exhibit to have a luxurious feeling as well. The word ‘Lux’ fit everything this exhibit is about.”
One of the artists showcased is Robert Irwin. The San Diego, Calif. resident has been a leader of the light and space movement. His Plexiglas disc installation is a highlight of the exhibit. In the piece, Irwin used light, shadows and reflections to create a piece of art that flows onto the walls around the disc, Banerjee said.
“Irwin wanted you to think about how your eyes work,” Banerjee said. “The piece won’t work if it were put in a frame.”
Artists like Irwin want to get away from the idea that art can be held in a frame, she said. Their pieces involve the walls, floor, ceiling and even the space between the viewer and the piece.
“It is more than art,” Banerjee said. “It’s a combination of philosophy, psychology and brain science.”
There is a piece of art in the collection that is a preview to a much bigger work. James Turrel is another artist with an outside-the-frame look at ar
t. Turrel began by creating views of light from inside rooms. He now works with mountains as his media of choice.
Outside of Flagstaff, Ariz. is a volcano named Roden Crater. Turrel is carving out portions of the volcano in order to allow viewers an opportunity to look at the sky from a different view. As a preview to his volcanic piece, Turrel has made a model of the mountain from dirt at the site.
Lux isn’t the only feature at the museum. “Adventures in the West – Reflections of Jack London’s World”, “Landscape and Lace: Cache Valley” and “Good Neighbors: Ceramic Installation” all are available to be viewed at any time during this semester.
Funding for the museum comes from a very small budget, but donations and memberships are encouraged for those interested.
“Students can become members for five dollars,” Hancock said. “This allows them admission to several events including a movie showing and a first look at new exhibits.”
While the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art is a separate entity from the Department of Art at the Caine College of the Arts, they have a close relationship that allows both to benefit.
“We love to have students visit the museum, whether they are art students or not,” Hancock said. “Many students come because of class assignments, but once they come for their class they may end up bringing friends or family later.”
Art students have an opportunity to see what it is like being a curator of an exhibit. In the Fine Arts Building Room 102, USU students showcase work from a study abroad in Germany. These exhibits are also open to the public.
– kylekheywood@gmail.com