Joseph’s Coat: Skyspace by James Turrell

Visitors to The Ringling can participate in a sunset viewing of "Joseph’s Coat," an architectural installation by the renowned Light and Space artist James Turrell. Located in a specialized courtyard, the Skyspace features a 24-foot square aperture carved directly into the ceiling. As dusk approaches, a meticulously programmed sequence of LED lights washes the interior walls in shifting colors. This artificial illumination alters the viewer's perception of the actual sky visible through the opening, making the natural twilight appear to flatten, change hue, and become a physical plane. The contemplative, open-air experience completely recontextualizes the simple act of looking upward.