The Icelandic-Danish artist Ólafur Elíasson, who is undeniably Iceland’s best known contemporary artist, has installed several works throughout the Versailles Palace and across the palace grounds. The most striking of these is a giant waterfall, which appears to plunge from mid-air into the pool in the garden behind the palace. The installations are part of an annual exhibition in Versailles by major contemporary artists.
The exhibition, which runs from 7 June to 30 October, features three outdoor works which deal with water, or its absence. In addition to the giant waterfall Ólafur has created a Fog Assembly, which creates thick fog people can walk through, and a Glacial Rock Flour Garden, created from the fine clay and sand dust left behind by receding glaciers. Ólafur has also created several installations inside the palace itself, all of which force visitors to contemplate space and their relationship to their surroundings.
Ólafur Elíasson is probably best known for his 2003 installation at the Tate Modern in London, when he created a giant sun inside the Turbine Hall of the museum. Ólafur has also designed the glass façade of Harpa Concert Hall in downtown Reykjavík
The Icelandic-Danish artist Ólafur Elíasson, who is undeniably Iceland’s best known contemporary artist, has installed several works throughout the Versailles Palace and across the palace grounds. The most striking of these is a giant waterfall, which appears to plunge from mid-air into the pool in the garden behind the palace. The installations are part of an annual exhibition in Versailles by major contemporary artists.
The exhibition, which runs from 7 June to 30 October, features three outdoor works which deal with water, or its absence. In addition to the giant waterfall Ólafur has created a Fog Assembly, which creates thick fog people can walk through, and a Glacial Rock Flour Garden, created from the fine clay and sand dust left behind by receding glaciers. Ólafur has also created several installations inside the palace itself, all of which force visitors to contemplate space and their relationship to their surroundings.
Ólafur Elíasson is probably best known for his 2003 installation at the Tate Modern in London, when he created a giant sun inside the Turbine Hall of the museum. Ólafur has also designed the glass façade of Harpa Concert Hall in downtown Reykjavík
