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James Turrell's "The Way of Color" Skyspace at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Photo via Crystal Bridges/Facebook.
NEW BREMEN - Crown Equipment announced Tuesday the planned development of a new art installation in New Bremen that will explore how the natural elements of sky and light can become materials for art. The artwork is expected to be an attraction for visitors to the region as well as a cultural landmark.
According to a news release, the New Bremen-based manufacturer of material handling equipment will construct a structure designed to house a commissioned Skyspace installation by internationally acclaimed artist James Turrell. Set to open in the spring of 2027, the structure is being built in the Kuenning-Dicke Natural Area located near the company's headquarters.
Turrell is considered a pioneer in the field of perceptual art and is best known for immersive installations that use light as a material, challenging audiences to reconsider how they see and experience their surroundings. His work has been exhibited in major museums and public spaces worldwide. Turrell has referred to himself as a "sculptor of light."
The immersive experience of the Skyspace exhibit will bring visitors into a chamber where the ceiling will open to provide a clear view of the sky with all perceptions of the horizon removed. A sequenced light program inside the structure will interact with the outside light coming through the opening in the ceiling. The best times for viewing will be at dawn and dusk.
According to the University of Texas, Turrell has created Skyspace installations at various locations and institutions around the country, including one called The Color Inside on its campus in Austin. Each Skyspace is different and not all have light sequences at sunrise and sunset. The university's web page turrell.utexas.edu reports that The Color Inside was the eighty-fourth Skyspace created by Turrell and currently one of 12 open to the public in the United States. It opened in 2013.
Some of the other public Skyspaces are at Rice University in Houston, at the Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas, atop the Friends Seminary building in New York, and on the campus of the University of Illinois - Chicago.
"It is an honor to bring a James Turrell Skyspace to our community," said James Dicke II, chairman and chief executive officer of Crown, in the release. "The installation will not only serve as a cultural landmark, but as a shared space for visitors to reflect and engage with art in a way that is truly a unique experience."
Crown is working in close partnership with the New Bremen Foundation, owner and steward of the Kuenning-Dicke Natural Area, to ensure the installation enhances the site while respecting its natural character, the release noted. The company also said the project reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the community and welcoming visitors to experience the area's unique cultural and natural offerings.
No timeline for the construction work was provided.
In late March, Crown announced the construction of the Modern Aboriginal Art Museum on East Monroe Street. According to a news release, the museum is set to open in late 2026 and "will feature one of the largest collections of contemporary Aboriginal art in North America."
"As the primary exhibit in the museum, the Aboriginal art collection will feature more than 100 contemporary paintings and sculptures, each telling a unique story and offering visitors the chance to experience contemporary expressions of one of the world's oldest artistic traditions," the release explained.
The 23,700-square-foot, single story facility is expected to house both permanent and rotating exhibition space as well as a gift shop.
