Robert Irwin: A Desert of Pure Feeling
2022 - 93 MINUTES - USA
A FILM BY JENNIFER LANE
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In a world that is becoming more and more mechanized, what is the value of actual, lived human experience? Iconoclastic California “light and space” artist Robert Irwin has been investigating this question all his life. Irwin’s pioneering exploration of materials, light, and perception has earned him a place as one of the most influential artists of our time.
He began his career as a charismatic painter in Los Angeles’ late-60s “Cool School” scene, but he soon outgrew that role, turning his back on the art world for nearly a decade to pursue pure dialog, philosophy, and experimentation. Rejecting art world fame to take on experimental installations, Irwin developed a new way of working that made perception itself the subject of his work. In the process, he gained a reputation among other artists as a visionary. But because of the ephemeral nature of Irwin’s artworks he remained unknown to much of the rest of the world. Working in near-obscurity, Irwin made his living as a gambler at the racetrack and as a beloved teacher, quietly nurturing the talents of a diverse group of now-famous artists including Chris Burden, Ed Ruscha, Alexis Smith, and Vija Celmins.
For forty years, Irwin’s work has left an unforgettable imprint on those who have experienced it. In an art world that is often dominated by spectacle, his installations transform our perception of the light and space around us profoundly and quietly, using only the simplest of materials. Irwin’s unconventional projects resist categorization and defy commodification; “catching lightning in a bottle” is the artist’s favorite metaphor for what he does. At age 87, Irwin’s decade-spanning career culminates in his most challenging project: a massive permanent installation in the majestic desert town of Marfa, Texas.