Abigail Smidt

Date of Award

2025

Document Type

MA Project - Restricted Access (SIA Only)

Project Type

MA Project - Curatorial Proposal

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Art Business

First Advisor

Agnes Berecz

Second Advisor

Morgan Falconer

Abstract

Light, Space, Object, Paint reexamines the Light and Space movement, focusing on the often-overlooked contributions of women artists, particularly Mary Corse and Helen Pashgian, alongside James Turrell. This exhibition will highlight influential Light and Space artists, while exploring the movement's core ideas and impact on contemporary art. This exhibition will be in collaboration with the most prominent museum in Los Angeles, which is the birthplace of the Light and Space movement. By placing female artists at the forefront, this exhibition challenges the gendered limitations within the art world of the 1960s and 70s, where women often faced smaller budgets and restricted access to larger spaces and resources. The exhibition will take place in an existing building, an airplane hangar, reflecting the significant inspiration many artists drew from the aeronautics industry. The scale of the venue allows for the display of larger projects, especially the newly commissioned works. For example, the pieces by women artists will be the largest they have ever created, requiring a large venue for their immersive installations. Mary Corse creates captivating paintings, Helen Pashgian offers sculptural objects, and James Turrell presents immersive installations. The show creates a rare opportunity for these artists to show their works together and offers an exploration of their unique approaches to light, space, and perception. The dynamic between these three artists is also essential to the exhibition. Turrell and Pashgian represent a yin and yang relationship, with Turrell’s shaping of ephemeral light into something physically palpable contrasting Pashgian dissolving physical material into light. Mary Corse is positioned in between the two artists, bridging their approaches by highlighting the 6 interplay of light and shadow in her work. This juxtaposition encourages viewers to explore the balance between their distinct artistic expressions. The exhibition aims to not only celebrate the legacy of these artists but also address the historical marginalization of female artists within the Light and Space movement. Although the movement is often associated with male figures, Mary Corse and Helen Pashgian’s contributions are equally as important. In fact, this exhibition is particularly significant because it marks the first time that a Light and Space show has dedicated more than half of its space to the work of female artists. It will highlight the incredible impact of these women, showcasing their work alongside that of James Turrell. This exhibition comes at an important moment, with these pioneering women still active, allowing a more inclusive historical narrative to unfold. Alongside key works from LACMA’s permanent collection and private collections across the United States, this exhibition will feature newly commissioned large-scale installations by Helen Pashgian and Mary Corse, allowing these artists to create monumental pieces. This show redefines the narrative of the Light and Space movement, challenging its traditional associations with male artists while celebrating its historical significance and contemporary relevance. Ultimately, the exhibition encourages the viewer to reflect on the nature of their own perception which shapes our understanding of the world and fosters a deep appreciation for the unique approaches of these three vital artists.

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