30 years of James Turrell's Celestial Vault

From 18 to 20 September, we will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Celestial Vault by James Turrell. During this festive weekend, Stroom will present a programme of guided tours, inviting visitors to rediscover the artwork, its remarkable history and the dune landscape of The Hague.

American artist James Turrell works with light, space and perception. From inside the elliptical hollow in the dunes, your gaze is guided upwards. The sky seems to come closer and even change shape. Turrell invites visitors not only to look at the sky, but also to become aware of the act of seeing itself.

The artwork was officially inaugurated on 21 September 1996, during the autumnal equinox, when the sun is directly overhead at the equator. To mark the occasion, Stroom presented an exhibition featuring two new light works by Turrell: Milk Run and Grade A. The publication James Turrell Kijkduin (sold out) was also released and was selected as one of the Best Dutch Book Designs of 1996. The Hague Filmhuis screened Passageways, a documentary about Turrell’s lifelong project, Roden Crater.

Thirty years later, Celestial Vault remains a much-loved destination for visitors from the Netherlands and abroad. Would you like to find out more about this remarkable work of art in The Hague? Then do visit our library and the presentation in the entry space.

The full programme of tours in september will be announced soon.