Green Mountain Falls, December 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – An immersive Skyspace by iconic light and space artist James Turrell will be unveiled in Green Mountain Falls in June 2022 at the Green Box Arts Festival. The facility will be the first Skyspace in the state of Colorado and the first in the world to be nestled on a mountainside.

Nestled on a mound overlooking Gazebo Lake and bathed by the rustle of tall pines, the James Turrell Skyspace at Green Mountain Falls will be a harmonious addition to the charming town at the foot of Pikes Peak, an extension of the landscape, preserved in its natural setting. The experience will begin with an inspiring journey via a new trail that takes hikers directly to the sheltered Skyspace in the hills above, overlooking downtown and Lake Gazebo.

Viewers will be enveloped in a one-of-a-kind kinetic encounter of light and color, a sensory and contemplative experience like nowhere else in the world. The Skyspace, measuring 18 feet high, was commissioned by the Historic Green Mountain Falls Foundation.

“Green Box invites you to slow down, breathe in the energizing mountain air and admire an unusual permanent installation by James Turrell, an installation that perfectly meets humanity’s need for wonder, serenity and connection. Said Green Box Co. -Founder Christian Keesee.

The construction was a feat of engineering that required all of the materials – 1.2 million pounds of concrete and 100,000 pounds of steel – hauled up a mountain side. Recent construction updates have included the fifth concrete pour (there are six needed) and will include a spectacular and scenic hike, arriving first at the Town Overlook and the final destination with even more fascinating views of the town valley and Lake Gazebo.

James Turrell’s Skyspace in Green Mountain Falls joins an exclusive list of over 85 Skyspaces the artist has designed and built around the world, including Argentina, Japan, Greece, Norway and Australia. The Green Mountain Falls Skyspace is one of the few in Turrell that has a retractable roof, offering flexibility in inclement weather and the option of daytime tours, in addition to the traditional sunrise and sunset shows. of sunset. Distinctive and enriching visual experiences are provided when the roof is both open and closed.

“We hope that visitors from near and far will rediscover the esoteric inspiration of an unplugged world and leave the stress behind,” added Larry Keigwin, co-founder of Green Box. “There’s no better way to re-engage and reconnect with nature than a hike to Green Mountain Falls. Having a Turrell Skyspace as a final reward will be an unforgettable gift for anyone who takes this trip.

At an elevation of 7,800 feet, amid the foothills of Pikes Peak, Green Mountain Falls is an idyllic retreat, just 20 minutes from downtown Colorado Springs and just a 90-minute drive from Denver. A special place of wonder, calm and refreshment, Green Mountain Falls celebrates beauty, forges authentic bonds and welcomes visitors who share the values ​​of promoting the arts in all its forms and protecting our natural environment.

“With construction on track for completion in the coming months, Green Box prepares for a season of celebration and enrichment as we launch James Turrell’s new meditative Skyspace, designed to bring together art and culture. nature, family and friends, earth and sky, in the most beautiful setting imaginable, ”said Green Box Deputy Director Scott RC Levy.

Iconic American artist James Turrell (b.1943) is known for cultivating peaceful and powerful environmental works of art that focus on human perception. His interest in the physical presence of light and space stems in part from his Quaker heritage. Turrell’s freestanding Skyspaces, with ceiling openings open to the sky, can be understood as creative observatories – a combination of architecture, sculpture and atmosphere perfectly positioned in nature.

Skyspace Video: A New James Turrell Skyspace for Green Mountain Falls

Skyspace visuals: Info. & Images

About the green box

Visionary Green Box co-founders Christian Keesee and Larry Keigwin believe the arts and education are essential to the vitality and well-being of our communities. What started as a weeklong residency with New York-based Keigwin’s dance troupe has evolved into a celebration and incubator of multidisciplinary visual and performing arts for visitors from Colorado and around the world. The accessibility and experimentation of the summer festival in a spectacular natural setting offers the curious public a new and playful take on some of the most fascinating visual and performing arts produced today.

With an active Artist-in-Residence program, educational offerings and creative experiences for audiences of all ages, Green Box seeks to enrich and engage its community and visitors for generations to come. The organization has developed partnerships with local schools and community organizations to increase its reach, thus strengthening its commitment to nurture creativity and appreciation of different perspectives.

For detailed information on all Green Box programming, please visit greenboxarts.org.

About the founders of Green Box

Christian Keesee is the director of his family office, which invests primarily in banking, energy projects and philanthropy in New York City, Colorado and Oklahoma. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Frick Collection, Trustee Emeritus of the American Ballet Theater, Trustee of the Tate Americas Foundation, and Founder and Trustee of the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center.

Larry Keigwin is an award-winning New York-based educator and choreographer and dancer whose diverse portfolio of work has been featured in venues around the world. He is the founder and artistic director of KEIGWIN + COMPANY, is a member of the board of directors of Green Box and is the dance editor of the quarterly art publication ArtDesk.

# # #

• Green Box will welcome a new Skyspace in Green Mountain Falls

• The beautiful town of Green Mountain Falls!