Larry Bell, the artist of Light and Space

Larry Bell is an American contemporary artist and sculptor known for his large glass works in the Light and Space movement. What makes this artwork so fascinating to me is the size and the glass itself, how it interacts with light. Glass is unique; it reflects, absorbs, and transmits light all at once. This mix of opposites creates something harmonious and alive, changing with every moment.

The sunlight, shifting through the seasons, gives it character. On cloudy days, the glass sits quietly, almost dormant, reflecting that familiar heaviness we feel when the sun hides away. But when sunlight returns, it awakens. The energy bursts through the colored glass, sparking life, and we feel it too, a quiet reminder to wake up and be present.

The fallen autumn leaves settle inside the structure, becoming part of the work itself. Soon, the snow will arrive, melting and dripping along the panels, glimmering as the sun catches each drop.

And then, there’s the shadow. As the day moves, the colored shadow turns like a clock, marking time not in hours but in light and space. The shadows blend the vibrant hues of orange and blue with the grass, concrete, or earth beneath, creating a unique shade, a fleeting moment that exists only once, and then it’s gone.

For me, when I lean against the glass and read a book, the colored light spills across the pages. It’s as if the artwork becomes part of my story.