The Shed Anchors Summer Programming With Premiere of Doug Aitken’s ‘Lightscape’

New York cultural institution The Shed is set to launch its high-profile summer season on June 25 with the theatrical exhibition of Doug Aitken's newly produced West Coast-inspired visual asset.

Photo Credit: Brica Wilcox/ Courtesy Of The Artist

The Shed, 545 West 30th Street, New York, NY 10001

Doug Aitken dominates the artistic realm, and we only inhabit it; if you doubt this, reflect on his massive cinematic piece, Lightscape. The artist is presenting the cinematic masterpiece for a summer-long exhibition in New York, occupying a 12,000-square-foot gallery at The Shed.

The work, characterized as a “contemporary myth of hope, struggle, and interconnection,” integrates architecture, music, and live performance, manifesting as a “dynamic project” over seven screens, transcending mere film. The work focuses on the sights and sounds of Southern California, attuned to the tumult of transformation, offering an unrefined, humanistic perspective on the quest for identity, conveyed through the landscape. Characters, portrayed by Beck and Natasha Lyonne, are placed in swiftly changing settings, transporting the spectator from barren mountains and expansive deserts to the illumination of automated facilities and digital abysses.

Photo Credit: Brica Wilcox/ Courtesy Of The Artist

Developed through a partnership with the LA Philharmonic and Los Angeles Master Chorale, music is integral to the Lightscape experience. Accompanying the pictures are unique compositions by Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Meredith Monk, Beck, and the artist, transitioning from haunting lullabies to intense tracks. “In extraordinary times of profound transformation, Lightscape serves as a depiction of the United States, a unique artwork that compels us to reflect on our identity and origins,” stated The Shed’s artistic director, Alex Poots.

Lightscape will be shown in New York from June 25 to September 13. A sequence of live acts will enliven the room during its duration. For additional details regarding the project, a sequence of live musical performances will enliven the area during its duration. Visit The Shed's website for additional information.