Lights, sound, meditation: Tripping out with artist James Turrell

With a major retrospective opening on Sunday at LACMA, and a gallery show just up the street from the museum unveiling special works he created for its new, grand space, the Los Angeles born light artist James Turrell is busy. Still, our Hunter Drohojowska-Philp scored an interview with him, and today, we met for an immersive Art Talk.

Artist James Turrell and art critic Hunter

You can hear Hunter’s interview with James Turrell on this week’s DNA. Below, she reviews the shows.

Whether you know or are aware of Turrell’s light-play, or lustfully wait for the day Mr. Turrell completes his Roden Crater, rush on over to Kayne, Griffin, Corcoran on La Brea and check out the spectacular Meditation Room–which you have to experience to believe. Don’t be afraid: This domed room is vibrant, immersive, with pulsing lights and sound, and after 16 minutes, I felt a combination of relaxed and tripped out — in a good way, without the use of illegal substances. In fact, I didn’t want to leave.