‘Hotline Bling’ artwork shines at ACMI’s Light

The versatile display includes paintings, photographs, sculptures, immersive installations and the moving image – all connected by the central theme of light.ACMI curator Laura Castagnini has described the exhibition as offering art for all, featuring “important works from throughout history”, from figures such as Claude Monet and JMW Turner, while also offering “a good entry point for people who don’t know too much about art”. With so much to see, Ms Castagnini has identified five must-see works at the exhibition, running from June 16 to November 13.Visit acmi.net.au for ticketsRaemar, Blue (1969) – James TurrellThe American sculptor’s immersive installation “envelops you in the colour blue” to be a “really fun (work) for families” to check out, according to Ms Castagnini.To create the effect, blue light radiates from fluorescent tubes placed behind a partition that appears to float. Ms Castagnini said Turrell’s “experiments with light since the late 1960s” had earned him “a reputation as a leading figure in contemporary art”.Raemar, Blue was one of the earliest and most significant works in his Shallow Space Constructions series, which the curator described as “a series of immersive spaces that completely envelop the viewer in a coloured atmosphere”.“These timeless works prove a hit with contemporary audiences – especially given their status as inspiration behind Drake’s Hotline Bling music video,” she said.The Deluge (1805) – J.M.W. TurnerThis apocalyptic epic is being shown in Australia for the first time, and is a fitting addition to the exhibition given its famed British creator is known as “the painter of light”.“Tate – which is home to the largest collection of works by (J.M.W.) Turner in the world – is bringing us several of his masterpieces, including The Deluge,” Ms Castagnini said.“(This is) a stormy and dramatic depiction of the floods as described in the Judaeo-Christian biblical story of Genesis.“(The painting is) in the first room, where we’ll have works from the late 18th century, when artists were starting to use light and dark to symbolise religious ideas.“They often are exploring the interplay between literal and metaphorical depiction of light and dark.”Liquid Reflections (1967) – Liliane LijnA “mesmerising sculpture” by “a leading figure of the kinetic art movement”, Liquid Reflections should not be missed at Light, according to Ms Castagnini.American artist Liliane Lijn created the work after moving to Britain in 1962.“It casts an array of light and shadow across a darkened room,” the curator said.“Light has always been an important subject for Lijn, who stated her aim for this work was ‘to capture light and keep it alive’.“(Lijn was) one of the only women who was creating these sorts of works at the time. To bring that to an Australian audience is really exciting.”The Passing Winter (2005) – Yayoi KusamaOnlookers can “peep inside” the Japanese artist’s captivating sculpture made of mirrors and glass to “see a kaleidoscopic vision of circles that expands into infinite space”, Ms Castagnini says.“Yayoi Kusama is another important contemporary artist featuring in Light,” she added.“The surrounding gallery will be filled with paintings by Impressionist artists – including Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro and Alfred Sisley – that depict the dazzling effects of light as it reflects off water.”Disappearance at Sea (1998) – Tacita DeanInspired by the true story of amateur sailor James Crowhurst, who died while attempting to sail around the world, Disappearance at Sea is a standout of the exhibition’s moving image works.Ms Castagnini said British filmmaker Tacita Dean first showed the work at her 1998 Turner Prize exhibition – and visitors to ACMI would now have the opportunity to be swept up in it too.“The 16mm film features seven lengthy shots of the lighthouse and surrounding seascape of St Abb’s Head in Berwick-upon-Tweed in northern England, as the sun sets to nightfall,” she explained.And not forgetting:Stardust Particle (2014) – Olafur Eliasson: This striking sculpture of stainless steel, glass and wire is suspended 2.5m off the ground, while a spotlight projects light on to its panels to cause reflections around the space where it hangs.The Seine at Port-Villez (1894) – Claude Monet: Light features a couple of works from the leading figure of the impressionist movement, including one of his many paintings of the River Seine near his home in northern France.The British Channel Seen from the Dorsetshire Cliffs (1871) – John Brett: The British painter based this large-scale painting on detailed notes he took as he sailed around England’s southwest coast in the summer of 1870. The work showcases the stunning effect of sunlight forming patterns on the seemingly endless sea.Spectrum of Brick Lane 2 (2007) – David Batchelor: One of the largest sculptural works in Light, the huge 5.2m-tall work is made up of light boxes, steel shelving, acrylic sheeting, fluorescent lights, cables and plug boards.