Ever since he made his debut on the international
scene in the early 1990s, the originality of Olafur
Eliasson's visual language has been clear. Viewers play
a major role in his art, and each work is made in
relation to them. Drawing on a wealth of references
ranging from nature to science, and using a wide variety
of media, including photographs, installations, outdoor
projects, videos, films, architecture and design
collaborations, through to books and multiples, his
artistic output is remarkable for its breadth and
diversity. Eliasson redefines the role of the artist as
a tireless researcher, prolific thinker and experimental
operator, and one who is constantly striving to explore
new fields and engage fully with current cultural
debates. Born in Copenhagen in 1967, Eliasson is
committed to pushing the boundaries of space using
materials such as lights, mirrors and water in
conjunction with architectural and landscape settings.
The result is some of the most ambitious and immersive
contemporary art in the world. Among his best-known work
is The Weather Project, commissioned for the Turbine
Hall at Tate Modern in 2003. Using a semicircle of
hundreds of yellow lamps and enormous mirrors he created
a dazzling sunset and a vast ceiling that reflected the
audience and the surroundings. Marcella Beccaria brings
together analyses of all his best-known work, along with
over 100 full-colour illustrations and a complete
biography. In keeping with the Modern Artists series,
this book provides the reader with an affordable and
rich introduction to one of the most ambitiously
inventive artists working today.
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