James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace, the iconic artwork that has drawn visitors to the Rice University campus since 2012, will reopen to the public Sept. 15. The sunrise and sunset light sequence, which will run seven days a week, now showcases a completely renovated lighting system installed under the supervision of Turrell’s studio.
The artwork, sited in the Suzanne Deal Booth Centennial Pavilion adjacent to the Shepherd School of Music, was temporarily closed during construction of nearby Asha and Farid Virani Hall, the new building for Rice Business. The Moody Center for the Arts, which oversees the Skyspace’s maintenance and public programs, used the closure to replace the original lighting fixtures with a modern LED system and install updated controls. Ensuring color clarity, equipment longevity and easier light and sound programming, this update preserves the unique perceptual experience and supports customization for commissioned performances.
“The profile and popularity of the Skyspace can’t be understated. For students, it is an integral part of campus life. For Houstonians, it’s a part of the city’s identity, and for art enthusiasts around the world, it’s a beacon that brings them to Rice University for a singular experience,” said Joel Thompson, deputy director of the Moody, adding that the Skyspace welcomed an estimated 20,000 visitors annually before its closure. “The Moody team is eager to welcome the people back to this anchor work in the Rice Public Art Collection.”
Built in 2012, the pyramidal structure accommodates 120 people between two levels and is the only two-story Skyspace among the more than 100 Turrell has created worldwide. Constructed of grass, concrete, stone and composite steel, “Twilight Epiphany” is acoustically engineered to host musical performances and to serve as a laboratory for Shepherd School students. During each sequence, LED light projects onto the ceiling and through an aperture in the 72-foot square knife-edge roof, complementing the natural light of dawn and dusk and transforming the Skyspace into a place for experiencing beauty and reflecting on the surrounding campus and the natural world. The artwork was made possible by Suzanne Deal Booth, a Rice alumna and member of the Rice Public Art Committee.
Light sequences occur daily at sunrise and sunset, and each lasts approximately 40 minutes. The sunrise sequence begins approximately 40 minutes before sunrise; visitors are encouraged to arrive an hour early. The sunset sequence begins about 10 minutes before sunset; visitors should arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to guarantee a seat. Admission is free, reservations are not required and the structure is open to the public throughout the day. Sunrise and sunset times vary through the year.
Weekday visitors to the Skyspace will be greeted by Rice student docents, who are on site during the sunset sequence. Employed by the Moody, participants in the James Turrell Skyspace Docent Program welcome guests, provide context for Turrell’s practice and answer questions about the artwork. In turn, docents become ambassadors for public art among their peers and spokespersons for the thousands of visitors coming to Rice to experience the Skyspace.
“I think the student docent program gives Rice students an opportunity to actively shape how our campus and broader community experience the Skyspace,” said Chuqi Min, lead docent and a graduate student in art history. “They bring their own curiosity, perspectives and enthusiasm to each evening, helping make every visit enjoyable, personal and engaging. In doing so, they create a welcoming space where guests can slow down, look up and experience the work together — embodying the Moody Center for the Arts’ mission to promote cross-campus and community collaboration through transformative encounters with the arts.”
Members of the media are invited to a press preview Sept. 14 at 7 p.m., timed to the sunset light sequence. A Moody Center for the Arts representative will be available for interviews. RSVP is required; please email Erin Rolfs to reserve a spot.