Amid the bustle of the Los Angeles International Airport, travelers can’t be faulted for missing an exhibition of works by the region’s most prominent artists. “Luminaries of Light & Space” celebrates the loose group of West Coast artists who, beginning in the 1960s, sought to expand perceptual experiences through light, color, and volume.

On view since 2022, the show features works by artists including Peter Alexander, Larry Bell, Gisela Colón, Laddie John Dill, Fred Eversley, John McCracken, Helen Pashgian, Hap Tivey, and DeWain Valentine. A singular highlight is Light + Shadow + Reflection + Color (#3 x 6’ D Four Fold) (2016), one of the last projects by the late Robert Irwin, an installation of his signature fluorescent lights.

The image shows an art installation consisting of three vertical fluorescent light tubes mounted on a wall. The arrangement features two white light tubes on the outer sides and a yellow light tube in the center. The lights create a minimalist and modern visual effect, highlighting the contrast between the colors and the simplicity of the design. The installation is likely part of a contemporary art exhibit, focusing on light and color as primary elements.

Robert Irwin, Light + Shadow + Reflection + Color (#3 x 6’ D Four Fold) (2016). Photo: SKA Studios, LLC, courtesy of Los Angeles World Airports.

For Laura Whitcomb, who curated the show, LAX serves as a fitting venue for the show because of the ties between Light and Space artists and the aerospace industry. Eversley, Bell, Tivey, Dill, Colón, and Turrell were all children of chemists, physicists, and aerospace designers.

The image shows a triangular prism made of a translucent pink material. The prism has a smooth surface and reflects light subtly, creating a soft, delicate appearance. The object is displayed on a clear pedestal against a plain background, emphasizing its geometric simplicity and aesthetic elegance.

Peter Alexander, Pyramid (1969). Photo: SKA Studios, LLC, courtesy of Los Angeles World Airports.

“While the artists of the Light & Space Movement explored innovations of materiality forged by the aerospace industry in the 20th century, this installation extends the story of the movement into a new generation of creatives using sustainable materials and renewable energy,” reads the exhibition’s description.

Hap Tivey, Flame (2021). Photo: SKA Studios, LLC, courtesy of Los Angeles World Airports.

The show was scheduled to run through November 2025, but plans are underway to extend it ahead of the 2028 Olympics, set to be held in L.A. It’s the first cultural installment of “many” planned to enhance flying experience at LAX ahead of the Olympics.

In fact, at the center of the exhibition is a commission titled Torch by Hap Tivey, which already echoes the Olympic flame that traditionally opens every iteration of the games. Whitcomb called it the “stabilizing anchor” of the show, “signifying the center of a futuristic altar where all faiths come together through the language of geometry.”

The image shows an art exhibit titled "Luminaries of Light and Space" at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The exhibit is dedicated to artists inspired by the unique light of Southern California, featuring a collection of contemporary and abstract artworks displayed in a long, glass-enclosed case. The exhibit aims to enhance the cultural experience for travelers, with a prominent blue sign providing an introduction and background information about the artists and their works. The installation includes various shapes and light-based pieces, creating a visually engaging corridor for airport visitors. The area is well-lit and designed to draw the attention of passersby.

Installation view of “Luminaries in Light and Space.” Photo: SKA Studios, LLC, courtesy of Los Angeles World Airports.

Investing in public art is a big boon for airports. In fact, in a document from the Airports Council International notes that such dedication to public art can be seeded by local ordinances requiring a certain percentage of construction budget to be dedicated to art.

According to Whitcomb, “millions of passengers” have already seen the works on view in the 60-foot-long installation, which is presented with an auditory component produced by Dublab called Orchestrina, featuring 30 L.A. composers.

“By presenting Light & Space on a global stage, the installation underscores Los Angeles’s commitment to showcasing local artistic achievements to a worldwide audience,” Whitcomb said.


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