Under the weather

Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson (born 1967) is globally renowned for his wide-ranging practice that explores the relevance of art through perception, complex geometries and its engagement with the environment around us.

The large elliptical screen of Under the weather, 2022 appears to flicker and change in relation to our movement, encouraging us to explore the space and discover new perspectives that are unique to each of us. This illusion is caused by a moiré pattern, an optical effect that occurs when two or more similar patterns are overlaid and clash, creating the appearance of rippling lines. As we move around, the elliptical shape of the screen also seems to change, appearing circular from certain vantage points. Looming large and seeming to radiate light and heat like an indoor sun, the artwork powerfully draws attention to the impact of weather on our lives.

Image credit: Olafur Eliasson, Under the weather, 2022, steel frame, printed textile, recycled polypropylene strapping, mono-frequency lights, courtesy of the artist; neugerriemschneider, Berlin; Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York / Los Angeles © 2022 Olafur Eliasson