James Turrell’s ‘Meeting’ Installation Has Finally Reopened at MoMA PS1

Construction scaffolding that had been blocking the installation's view has since been removed.

Dasube (Dual Shallow Space Construction) by James Turrell. Uli Deck/picture alliance via Getty Images

One of MoMA PS1’s main attractions has once again been made accessible to the public as of last Thursday. Back in January, artist James Turrell requested that his permanent installation Meeting remain closed until scaffolding from nearby construction work was no longer obstructing the view that his piece, which includes a skylight, provides.

Sign Up For Our Daily Newsletter

By clicking submit, you agree to our <a href="http://observermedia.com/terms">terms of service</a> and acknowledge we may use your information to send you emails, product samples, and promotions on this website and other properties. You can opt out anytime.

See all of our newsletters

Fittingly, the construction that Turrell felt his work was compromised by was the planned luxury apartment complexes being built at the site that was formerly home to 5Pointz, a water meter factory-turned evolving canvas for New York City graffiti artists. Since the building equipment in question evidently no longer conflicts with the installation’s view, Meeting has been reopened. 

SEE ALSO: Gagosian Gallery to Lease Chelsea Space Previously Occupied By Mary Boone

Until recently, it was unclear whether Meeting’s skylight would remain unobstructed for long. According to The City, in mid-July, developer David Wolkoff sought approval to make the aforementioned luxury apartment complexes even bigger than they were originally supposed to be. Wolkoff was angling to increase the height of the “5Pointz Towers” to 48 and 42 stories, respectively, but the Queens Community Board rejected his proposal

In any case, the reopening of Turrell’s site-specific installation is an undisputed asset to museum patrons. For decades, Turrell has occupied comfortable territory as one of America’s most respected artists actively dealing with the thematic limits of light and space. Roden Crater, arguably his most famous and well-considered work, consists of an observatory installed within an extinct volcano crater in northern Arizona. The renewed accessibility of Meeting is also surely a relief to the museum staff at MoMA PS1: they can again begin to market and sell timed “sunset tickets” to visitors, which affords you the opportunity to experience the work at the most dramatically picturesque time of day. According to the museum, sunset tickets will be on sale again in the fall. 

James Turrell’s ‘Meeting’ Installation Has Finally Reopened at MoMA PS1