I live in the sky as a pilot, so it has great meaning to me.

The quote "I live in the sky as a pilot, so it has great meaning to me." by James Turrell reflects his unique relationship with the sky and his experience as a pilot, which deeply influences his artistic work. Turrell, best known for his immersive light and space art installations, emphasizes how his time in the sky shapes his understanding of space and perception. For him, being a pilot is not just about flying; it’s a means of connecting with the environment in a way that informs his art, where light and space become tools for creating transformative experiences.

The origin of the quote lies in Turrell’s personal experience with flight. As a licensed pilot, Turrell often flew as a way to explore and appreciate the vastness and nuances of the sky. This connection to flight and aerial views has greatly impacted his creative practice, as he uses light and the manipulation of space in his work to evoke the same sense of wonder and perception he experiences while in the sky. The quote reflects his belief in the power of personal experience to shape one’s creative output.

Turrell’s reference to living "in the sky" speaks to the deeper spiritual and philosophical connections he draws from flight. For him, the sky is not merely a physical space but a realm of limitless potential and exploration. This aligns with his artistic work, which often seeks to explore the boundaries of human perception and our relationship to the natural world, particularly light and space.

Ultimately, this quote highlights the profound influence that personal experience—in this case, his time as a pilot—has on Turrell’s art. It shows how his artistic and aesthetic vision is shaped by his understanding of the world from a unique perspective, offering a deeper connection between his personal experiences and the immersive works he creates. Through this connection, Turrell’s art invites viewers to engage with space and light in a way that mirrors the transformative experience of flight itself.