James Turrell Completes New Installation at Friends Seminary

James Turrell, a renowned artist and fellow Quaker, has completed a new installation titled *Leading* at Friends Seminary in New York. The project, located above Stuyvesant Square Park, is part of the school’s historic campus, which dates back to 1786. The installation reflects Turrell’s deep spiritual beliefs and his history as an environmental justice activist.

The 20-foot by 22-foot room features an oculus that shifts through a spectrum of colors, from blue to orange, green, yellow, and purple. Visitors are invited to lie on soft teak benches and observe the changing light. The space is designed to accommodate neurodiverse students, offering a calming environment that responds to sensory sensitivities. On sunny days, the oculus opens to the sky, framing clouds and offering a view of the world beyond the campus.

Turrell’s work is part of a broader legacy of over 85 Skyspaces created since the 1960s. The design was led by Frances Halsband, founder of Kliment Halsband Architects, a Perkins Eastman Studio. The installation connects visitors to the natural world and the passage of time, with a retractable roof that allows the sky to become part of the experience.

Friends Seminary’s campus includes the 15th Street Meeting House, a red-brick building from 1864 designed by Quaker architect Charles T. Bunting. The meeting house serves as the school’s spiritual center, with its historic lobby reflecting Quaker values through its design and atmosphere.

The installation at Friends Seminary underscores the Quaker tradition of integrating spiritual and environmental awareness into public spaces. It also highlights the ongoing relevance of Quaker principles in contemporary art and education. The piece invites contemplation of the natural world and the human experience within it, aligning with the Quaker emphasis on peace, justice, and care for creation.

Micah 6:8 calls for justice, mercy, and humble service, themes that resonate in the design and purpose of *Leading*. The installation encourages reflection on the interconnectedness of the natural world and human responsibility, embodying the Quaker commitment to stewardship and contemplative practice.

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