Yellow Room,Tancanhuitz de Santos (AP)
Artist
Seth Thompson
MediumChromogenic dye coupler (print) photograph
Dimensions16 x 20 in. (40.6 x 50.8 cm)
ClassificationsPhotograph
Credit LineSeattle City Light 1% for Art Portable Works Collection
This was taken during Santa Semana in 1997. I accidentally left the door ajar when I entered this room in the Hotel Casa Colorada, the only hotel in Tancanhuitz de Santos, San Luis Potosi State. The small amount of blue daylight entering the yellow room was magical; the color shocked me with its beauty.
This series explores similarities of form between popular and sacred places and how their natural illumination contributes to their numinous presence and beauty. The poca luz (little light) of these spaces requires me to use long camera exposures, which reveal things hidden from casual acquaintance. With time, seemingly dark spaces appear to be full of light, and shadows to be full or color. Often the passage from light to shadow is marked by a shift from blue to yellow and reflected light paints white walls with ghostly colors. –Artist statement
This series explores similarities of form between popular and sacred places and how their natural illumination contributes to their numinous presence and beauty. The poca luz (little light) of these spaces requires me to use long camera exposures, which reveal things hidden from casual acquaintance. With time, seemingly dark spaces appear to be full of light, and shadows to be full or color. Often the passage from light to shadow is marked by a shift from blue to yellow and reflected light paints white walls with ghostly colors. –Artist statement