Afrum-Proto

work by Turrell

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Last updated

July 21, 2026

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Afrum-Proto is a 1966 artwork by American artist James Turrell. Turrell is known for his work exploring the relationship between light and space. In Afrum-Proto, he projected intense tungsten light into a darkened corner, creating the illusion of a floating cube. This piece is an early example of his innovative use of light to alter perception and create immersive experiences. Turrell is considered a founder of the California Light and Space Movement, and his work often challenges viewers' understanding of sight and space.

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James Turrell
For the groundbreaking work Afrum-Proto (1966), Turrell projected high-intensity tungsten light into a shadowed corner, creating the illusion of a floating cube, and in the series Mendota Stoppages (1969–74), he cut the walls of the derelict Mendota Hotel, Ocean Park, California, to stream calibrated shafts of light into dark…
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For the groundbreaking work Afrum-Proto (1966), Turrell projected high-intensity tungsten light into a shadowed corner, creating the illusion of a floating cube, and in the series Mendota Stoppages (1969–74), he cut the walls of the derelict Mendota Hotel, Ocean Park, California, to stream calibrated shafts of light into dark…
Read More