30 Years James Turrell - Celestial Vault

In the dunes of The Hague, where light can feel so tangibly present, the American artist James Turrell has created a place to gaze at the sky: Celestial Vault in Kijkduin. From 18 to 20 September, we will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of this landscape artwork. During this festive weekend, Stroom will present a program of guided tours, inviting visitors to (re)discover the artwork and its remarkable history.

The artwork was officially inaugurated on 21 September 1996, during an 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 on, Celestial Vault remains a favourite destination for visitors from home and abroad.

Would you like to discover this unique landscape artwork for yourself? Then sign up for one of the guided tours we’re organising on Friday 18, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September. Daily at 14:00 and 16:00 hrs.

- duration: approximately 45 minutes
- Dutch spoken, except for an English tour on Friday 18 September at 16:00 hrs.
- cost: 10 euros (including a drink at Café De Haagse Beek)
- meeting point: Machiel Vrijenhoeklaan 175, The Hague (at the foot of the steps opposite Café De Haagse Beek)
- register via Eventbrite

Please note: Celestial Vault is an outdoor artwork. Please bear in mind the weather and the limited accessibility due to a long flight of steps leading up to the artwork.

Would you like to find out more about this unique artwork in The Hague? Then visit our library and the exhibition at Stroom's office (Hogewal 1-9), where you can also see the scale model and special archive material.

More about Celestial Vault