Exhibition Bruce Nauman; 1972-1981

After 30 years at the museum, Ellen Joosten brings her career to a close with an exhibition of Bruce Nauman. In preparation, she visits the American artist at his studio in Santa Fe (New Mexico). ‘In fact, I think you should always see the environment in which an artist lives, in what type of landscape he is.’ The exhibition comprises ten sculptures, drawings and installations that the artist created in the past 10 years.

Bruce Nauman works with his partner Harriet Lindenberg for one week on the installation and layout of the exhibition. In the sculpture garden the museum’s technical staff work on the installation of Nauman’s Triangular Room, a black triangular room without a roof. The room is illuminated by sodium lamps that slowly warm up and change in colour from red to yellow. Nauman also makes a light installation in the print room. Alternating red and yellow fluorescent tubes are hung across the entire length of the ceiling.