enLIGHTment - Olafur Eliasson´s “The Weather Project (2003)”
The magic of light
lafur Eliasson, born in Copenhagen in 1967, is one of the most influential contemporary artists, whose works fascinatingly merge science, technology, and art. The Danish-Icelandic artist, who grew up between the urban culture of Denmark and the raw nature of Iceland, deeply integrated these two worlds into his artistic practice. After studying at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, he founded his studio in Berlin in 1995. Today, this studio serves as an interdisciplinary platform for collaboration among artists, architects, scientists, and technicians. Light plays a central role in Eliasson's work, which often explores the boundaries between nature and artificiality, science and emotion. His installations, including the internationally acclaimed The Weather Project (2003), challenge viewers' perceptions by presenting light not only as a physical phenomenon but also as a cultural and emotional symbol.
Boundaries between reality and illusion
"The Weather Project", presented in 2003 in the monumental Turbine Hall of the Tate Modern in London, is one of Eliasson's most impressive installations. It addresses the relationship between humans and nature and the ways we perceive environmental phenomena - especially weather. Technically precise and aesthetically overwhelming, this work uses light as a medium to blur the boundaries between reality and illusion.
The central element of The Weather Project was a massive semicircular disc reminiscent of a rising sun. This "sun" was illuminated by hundreds of high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps, which are known for their ability to produce an intense, monochromatic yellow-orange light. The color emitted by these lamps falls at a wavelength of approximately 589 nanometers, corresponding to yellow light. This monochromatic light had a unique effect on perception: it suppressed the ability of the human eye to see other colors, reducing the visible spectrum to shades of yellow and gray. Eliasson harnessed this property to immerse the entire Turbine Hall in an otherworldly, almost dreamlike atmosphere.
Another standout feature of the installation was the enormous mirrored ceiling that spanned the entire length of the hall. This ceiling, composed of highly reflective panels, was installed with precision to create the impression that the space extended infinitely upwards. The semicircular "sun" was completed into a perfect circle through its reflection. This optical illusion heightened the perception of infinity, symbolically opening the space into another dimension. Visitors not only saw the "sun" but also their own reflections, transforming the installation into a site of introspection and self-awareness.
To enhance the visibility of the light beams and amplify the atmosphere, Eliasson used fog machines to release a mixture of water and oil particles into the air. This artificial mist altered how light was perceived, creating a dense, almost tangible structure. The particles scattered the light, rendering its physical presence visible and giving the environment a uniquely immersive quality.
A particularly fascinating aspect of The Weather Project was the interaction between visitors and the space, shaped decisively by the monochromatic light. Photo: © User:Bjoss, Wikimedia Commons
A particularly fascinating aspect of "The Weather Project" was the interaction between visitors and the space, shaped decisively by the monochromatic light. Since the sodium lamps reduced the visible spectrum to yellow and gray tones, all individuals in the room appeared in the same hues. This subtle yet profound limitation had a deep social and aesthetic impact: distinctions in skin color, clothing, and accessories became nearly indistinguishable. The reduced color palette created a sense of equality, encouraging viewers to look beyond individual characteristics. Instead, the physical presence and interactions of people in the space came to the forefront.
Welcome to Photonworld – a platform for knowledge, interesting facts and science on the topic of light. Photonworld aims to provide a basic understanding of the physics of light and its countless phenomena. From medicine, to art and physics: all topics are covered.
Photonworld originated as an initiative of the excellence cluster the Munich-Centre for Advanced Photonics (MAP) and the Laboratory for Attosecond Physics (LAP) at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (MPQ).
The initiator of the project is Prof. Dr. Ferenc Krausz, Chair of Experimental Physics at the LMU and Director of the MPQ.
Photonworld’s Student Zone reports directly out of the PhotonLab, which is supported by the Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology (MCQST) and the DFG Research Unit FOR 2783. At the PhotonLab, schoolteachers and students can find up-to-date information about experiments and goings-on at the lab, and plan their own visit to the laboratory.
