James Turrell's Roden Crater is a monumental work of art located in the Painted Desert region of Northern Arizona. This unprecedented large-scale artwork, situated within a volcanic cinder cone, represents the apex of Turrell's lifelong exploration into human visual and psychological perception. By transforming this natural landscape into a controlled environment for experiencing and contemplating light, Turrell places Roden Crater within the tradition of American landscape art that began in the 1960s. The project is minimally invasive to the external landscape, yet internally, it has been meticulously engineered to create spaces where one can directly experience the cycles of geologic and celestial time (Roden Crater).
Born in California in 1943 and raised in the Wilburite Quaker tradition, Turrell has always been deeply intrigued by light as an artistic medium. His fascination began in earnest during a visit to the Museum of Modern Art as a teenager, where he encountered the work of Thomas Wilfred. Turrell's personal and professional journey took a decisive turn in the late 1960s, leading to the conception of Roden Crater after a Guggenheim Fellowship funded flight in search of a suitable location. The Crater, which he first encountered in 1974, has since been transformed through the moving of over 1.3 million cubic yards of earth to shape the Crater Bowl and the construction of the 854-foot East Tunnel, among other features. Turrell envisions Roden Crater as a gateway to the contemplation of light, time, and landscape, designed to last centuries and serve as a naked eye observatory of earthly and celestial events (Smithsonian Magazine).
After 45 years of development, Roden Crater is set to open to the public in the coming years, bolstered by new partnerships and significant funding, including a $10 million donation from Kanye West. These contributions will enable the expansion of the project, including the addition of a restaurant, visitor’s center, cabins, and a "light-spa." Roden Crater stands as a testament to Turrell's dedication to the interplay of light and space, promising a singular experience for future visitors. This ambitious project aligns with Turrell's broader artistic mission, situating the Crater at the intersection of art, science, and spirituality (ArchDaily).