Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Photo: Guggenheim's Rotunda Transforms Into Mesmerizing Light Installation
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jun 20, 2013
Modified Jun 20, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jun 20, 2013
Modified Jun 20, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Photo via Guggenheim's Instagram
James Turrell hasn't had a solo presentation in a New York museum since 1980, but now he's come back big with a new site-specific installation for the Guggenheim rotunda, called Aten Reign (presented along with some of his early works). The piece will transform the rotunda into a light installation starting tomorrow (the summer solstice), and running through September 25th. Today, they turned on the lights for a press preview, and Turrell explained that "the Guggenheim skyspace will change throughout different times of the day, as daylight enters the oculus."
The artist also noted that the viewer should remember: "the history of art has been full of artists who have depicted light, but I decided to pursue light itself." This pursuit of light takes the form of "shifting natural and artificial light and intense, modulating color, creating a dynamic perceptual experience..." but you really need to see it for yourself.
There were no photos or video allowed at this afternoon's preview, but The Internet has magically provided anyway. Sadly, The Internet didn't provide any Vines, but here's a short video on the installation, where you'll get a glimpse:
Tagged
Aten Reign
guggenheim
installation
james turrell
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?
Thanks to Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Timothée Chalamet and more, the rideshare program is having a moment.
By
Lindsay Lee Wallace
Published Oct 8, 2026
Is NYC’s hottest attraction the free observation deck at 1 Centre Street?
If you're playing tourist in your own town, this is an in-demand option.
By
James Ramsay
Arts & Entertainment
Is NYC’s hottest attraction the free observation deck at 1 Centre Street?
If you're playing tourist in your own town, this is an in-demand option.
By
James Ramsay
What happens when NYC kids take lessons in rock music? Really good bands.
By
Jayson Greene
Inside a photographer's journey to visit every neighborhood in New York City
By
Sonia Rao
Banned books and Winnie the Pooh: October in NYC libraries
By
Alec Hamilton
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .