Rethinking Last Light: Experiencing James Turrell's 'Gathered Sky'

It’s cold when we enter the room, colder than it is outside for an early winter afternoon. Asked to arrive at sunset, it’s just me, a friend, and two other couples in an unassuming rectangular room, one that seeks to redefine the "sunset view."

We’re here to experience Gathered Sky, a light installation thought up by American artist James Turrell. Known for his immersive installations, Turrell has exhibited and installed permanent works at well-known locations across the US and throughout the world, in institutions including the Guggenheim, Scottsdale MoMA, and more.

Gathered Sky is one of these immersive installations. Constructed in 2012 and located in Songzhuyuan Temple – the same temple complex as haute cuisine restaurant TRB Hutong – it's only open Friday to Sunday during sunset.

Considering sunset is a bit of an odd time – pretty much contingent upon the season – we were a bit rushed going to the location after booking our tickets. Luckily, however, we arrived just in the nick of time.

We were treated to unchanging light at first, accompanied by soothing meditative music. This soon morphed though, with the light color transforming and interacting with the small skylight above to create an entirely unique sunset experience.

Near the end, the whole thing seemed entranced, light shifting from red to blue to green to purple as the sky above became darker and darker, the mind remaining transfixed and in the moment.

Then, it was over. We exited the hall and were greeted once again by the crisp winter air beneath a dark night sky. The only difference was that that feeling of being in the moment, in the present, remained, as well as a new appreciation for light at dusk and the changes it can bring.

Gathered Sky can be viewed each week from Thursday to Monday, with the installation opening at sunset on these days. Tickets are RMB 150 per person and can be booked via the temple complex’s WeChat account (Temple东景缘) by searching “Art” and “Gathered Sky”.

READ: UCCA Meets Beijing's Music Spaces, Weekend Art Fairs & More

Images: detail.youzhan.com, Sina Weibo, Vincent R. Vinci