“Aftershock” is one of the so-called “Ganzfeld” installations, which have become iconic in Turrell’s work with light, space, and colour. The term Ganzfeld, coined in the 1930s by the German psychologist Wolfgang Metzger, describes the effects of sensory overload. When exposed to an intense torrent of colour, the brain begins to hallucinate as it struggles to find meaning in an endless field of colour.

In 2024, “Aftershock” became the first permanent acquisition at Copenhagen Contemporary, thanks to a donation from the patron Augustinus Fonden. With this work, CC (Copenhagen Contemporary) established a new collection of 21st-century art, marking the first step in a journey where the institution will acquire a carefully curated selection of masterpieces by leading contemporary artists.

As you will see when you experience it, “Aftershock” is an invitation to transcend the limits of conventional perception. The installation is a perfect example of Turrell’s distinctive style—an immersive environment where light is not merely something to be observed, but an experience to be felt.

Set within a vast, temple-like space, “Aftershock” explores the tension between the solid and the intangible, the visible and the invisible, guiding us through a complex dance between clarity and illusion. The piece is rooted in Turrell’s lifelong fascination with light as a sculptural medium, a pursuit he has explored throughout his career.

Turrell is a master of shaping how we perceive the world around us, and in this installation, he pushes the boundaries of perception even further—transforming the space into an expansive void, a landscape of colour and form without defined edges.

As we move through it, the interplay between light and colour continuously alters our experience of time, space, and depth. But beyond its visual impact, in an era of relentless information overload, Turrell’s work feels like a meditative experience—one that invites profound introspection.

Visitors are encouraged to lose themselves in the experience, to surrender to the light, the space, and the overwhelming sensation of being surrounded by something greater than oneself. Unmissable.

“Personally, I have a deep appreciation for Turrell’s works because they embody a unique kind of poetry. He paints with light in three dimensions, which is why his works have such a powerful emotional impact on us. Having this piece at CC is, without a doubt, a wonderful gift.” Marie Laurberg, Director of Copenhagen Contemporary

About James Turrell

James Turrell (b. 1943) is a key figure in international contemporary art and one of the most acclaimed artists of our time.

His work is an integral part of art history and has been a source of inspiration for later generations, including Olafur Eliasson.

Since the 1960s, his groundbreaking artistic experiments have made a profound impact worldwide. Light, space, and human perception are the central themes of his practice.

“I use light to explore the meaning of perception. I create spaces that both project and capture light. But I do not make the light. Light is a treasure, a source of beauty and wonder. Creative ownership does not matter. It is like a symphony. How can you own a symphony?” James Turrell

With roots in the Quaker tradition—a pacifist Christian community that believes in the “inner light”—Turrell began experimenting with light as an artistic medium in the mid-1960s. Through his studies in perceptual psychology, he became interested in the theory of perception, exploring how space, light, and colour affect the human experience.

(*) Credits: Aftershock, 2021 © James Turrell, Installation view at Copenhagen Contemporary, 2024. Photos by David Stjernholm.

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