Doug Aitken's New 'Lightscape' Film Is a Californian Fever Dream
On view at The Shed in New York starting June 25.
Summary
- Doug Aitken will present his monumental Lightscape installation at The Shed in New York from June 25 through September 13
- Across seven screens, the piece blends architecture, film, performance and music in a cinematic ode to the shifting landscapes of the West
It’s all Doug Aitken’s world and we’re all just living in it; if you don’t believe it, consider his monumental cinematic artwork, Lightscape. The artist is bringing the cinematic gem for a summer-long run in New York, taking over a 12,000-foot gallery at The Shed.
More than film alone, the piece, described as a “modern myth of hope, struggle and interconnection,” blends architecture, music and live performance, unfolding as a “living project” across seven screens.
Centered on the sights and sounds of Southern California, the piece is tuned to the chaos of change, delivering a raw, humanistic look at the search of individuality, told through the landscape. Characters, some played by Beck and Natasha Lyonne, are dropped into rapidly shifting environments, carrying the audience from desolate mountains and sweeping deserts into the glow of automated centers and digital voids.
Created out of a collaboration with the LA Philharmonic and Los Angeles Master Chorale, music plays a pivotal role in the Lightscape experience. Above the visuals plays original pieces by Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Meredith Monk, Beck and the artist himself, shifting between haunting lullabies to hardcore tracks.
“In unprecedented times of extreme change, Lightscape is a portrait of the United States, one of those very rare artworks that invites us to think about who we are, and where we come from,” said The Shed’s artistic director, Alex Poots.
Lightscape will be on view in New York from June 25 through September 13. A series of live performances will activate the space during its run. For more information on the piece During its run, a series of live musical performances will activate the space. Head to The Shed’s website for more information.
The Shed
545 W 30th St,
New York, NY 10001
