At outdoor meeting for worship this last Sunday, a Friend gave a message on the relationship of art and religion which has had me cogitating ever since. From our conversations, Turrell is clear that his art is about light – the real, physical existence of light in this real, physical world. He does not claim that it is "god" or anything spiritual in itself. Yet sitting in one of his pieces makes me contemplate the heavens in ways that increase the awe and wonder of what is beyond our sight and knowledge. Perhaps looking at a stained glass window might have, had I been looking in 1500, made me feel the same way but I now take a fabulously conceived and lovingly executed stained glass for granted. It's the community and communion in meeting for worship that is core to Quakerism and that, at least at Chestnut Hill, is not based on art or music. Still, at other times or places, it sometimes is wonderful to be sucked through some genius's manipulation of my senses – whether it's a Bach chorale or a Turrell skyspace – so my heart is opened in new ways to the wonder of our world. Here's a link to an article about Turrell and God. And here's a link to a short video in which Turrell talks about his work.

Signe Wilkinson