Olafur Eliasson

Danish, born 1967

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The sculpture is a geometric structure resembling a sphere made up of triangular facets. The triangles are crafted from a translucent yellow material that allows light to pass through, casting yellow patterns on the surface the sphere is hanging from. Some sections appear to be either colorless or have no material in them. In the center, there is a smaller sphere that appears darker, covered by illuminated triangular patterns.
Olafur Eliasson, Thinking Sphere, 2011, stainless steel dark gray backside mirror and colored glass, Gift of The Tony and Trisja Podesta Collection, Washington, DC, 2023.80.2

Thinking Sphere

Olafur Eliasson · 2011 · stainless steel dark gray backside mirror and colored glass ·  Accession ID  2023.80.2
This appears to be a rectangular reflective artwork with a colorful overlay. The artwork is framed, like a large mirror, and it reflects the shapes of three people and a camera on a tripod, positioned on a wooden floor. The glass appears to be casting a vibrant spectrum of colors over the reflections, primarily orange and teal, creating a layered visual effect. Behind the work is a white wall, and it stands on a wooden floor.
Olafur Eliasson, Yellow Egoless Door, 2005, color effect filter glass, wood, and mirror, Gift of The Tony and Trisja Podesta Collection, Washington, DC, 2023.80.1

Yellow Egoless Door

Olafur Eliasson · 2005 · color effect filter glass, wood, and mirror ·  Accession ID  2023.80.1
The artwork titled "The Volcano Series" is a collection of photographs arranged in a grid format consisting of eight rows and seven columns, making a total of 56 images. Each photograph captures an aerial view of different volcanic landscapes, showing features such as craters, calderas, and lava fields. The images display a color palette, including browns, reds, greens, and whites, reflecting the textures and colors of the volcanic terrain. The photographs are framed with thin black borders. The series provides a view of volcanic topography.
Olafur Eliasson, The Volcano Series, 2012, 63 chromogenic prints, Gift of The Tony and Trisja Podesta Collection, Washington, DC, © Olafur Eliasson, photo: Jens Ziehe courtesy of the artist; Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York/ Los Angeles; neugerriemschneider, Berlin, 2023.53.2

The Volcano Series

Olafur Eliasson · 2012 · 63 chromogenic prints ·  Accession ID  2023.53.2
The image features overlapping oval and circular shapes in shades of purple, gray, and yellow. The translucent layers blend colors where they overlap. The varying sizes of the ovals create a rhythmic flow across the canvas.
Olafur Eliasson, Yellow to grey and grey to purple and yellow to grey movie - grey to yellow and purple to grey and purple to black and black to grey movie - purple to grey and grey to yellow and purple to black movie [middle panel], 2009, one of three sheets: watercolor and pencil on paper, Gift of The Heather and Tony Podesta Collection, 2014.150.5.b

Yellow to grey and grey to purple and yellow to grey movie - grey to yellow and purple to grey and purple to black and black to grey movie - purple to grey and grey to yellow and purple to black movie [middle panel]

Olafur Eliasson · 2009 · one of three sheets: watercolor and pencil on paper ·  Accession ID  2014.150.5.b
The image shows a series of overlapping translucent ovals arranged horizontally. The ovals vary in color, including shades of purple, yellow, and gray. Each shape slightly overlaps the next, forming a gradient of colors and a sense of depth within the composition.
Olafur Eliasson, Yellow to grey and grey to purple and yellow to grey movie - grey to yellow and purple to grey and purple to black and black to grey movie - purple to grey and grey to yellow and purple to black movie [right panel], 2009, one of three sheets: watercolor and pencil on paper, Gift of The Heather and Tony Podesta Collection, 2014.150.5.c

Yellow to grey and grey to purple and yellow to grey movie - grey to yellow and purple to grey and purple to black and black to grey movie - purple to grey and grey to yellow and purple to black movie [right panel]

Olafur Eliasson · 2009 · one of three sheets: watercolor and pencil on paper ·  Accession ID  2014.150.5.c
The image displays a series of overlapping circles and ovals arranged horizontally, varying in translucency and shades of muted gray, purple, and beige.
Olafur Eliasson, Yellow to grey and grey to purple and yellow to grey movie - grey to yellow and purple to grey and purple to black and black to grey movie - purple to grey and grey to yellow and purple to black movie [left panel], 2009, one of three sheets: watercolor and pencil on paper, Gift of The Heather and Tony Podesta Collection, 2014.150.5.a

Yellow to grey and grey to purple and yellow to grey movie - grey to yellow and purple to grey and purple to black and black to grey movie - purple to grey and grey to yellow and purple to black movie [left panel]

Olafur Eliasson · 2009 · one of three sheets: watercolor and pencil on paper ·  Accession ID  2014.150.5.a
The image features a rocky mound centrally positioned, with a high horizon showing a white glacier extending to mountains in the distance. The composition includes earthy browns, green vegetation, white icy elements, and gray cloudy sky, evoking a natural and rugged landscape.
Olafur Eliasson, Untitled (Iceland series), 1999, chromogenic print, Gift of the Heather and Tony Podesta Collection, 2009.131.19

Untitled (Iceland series)

Olafur Eliasson · 1999 · chromogenic print ·  Accession ID  2009.131.19
The image shows a geothermal pool in a rocky landscape with green vegetation. The water is turquoise blue and reflects the surroundings. In the background, there is a flat area leading to a structure with a red roof. Hills with grassy slopes are visible further away, with a pale blue sky above.
Olafur Eliasson, Untitled (Iceland series), 1999, chromogenic print, Gift of the Heather and Tony Podesta Collection, 2009.131.17

Untitled (Iceland series)

Olafur Eliasson · 1999 · chromogenic print ·  Accession ID  2009.131.17
The image shows a landscape with dry land in the foreground, a peaceful body of water in the middle, and rugged hills in the background. The hills have earthy tones with patches of green vegetation. The sky above displays various cloud formations against a blue backdrop. The color palette includes warm tones for the land and cool blues and neutrals for the sky.
Olafur Eliasson, Untitled (Iceland series), 1999, chromogenic print, Gift of the Heather and Tony Podesta Collection, 2009.131.16

Untitled (Iceland series)

Olafur Eliasson · 1999 · chromogenic print ·  Accession ID  2009.131.16
The image shows a mountain in a dramatic landscape with a horizon positioned low in the frame. The mountain has steep sides and stretches into the clouds. Sunlight filters through the clouds, casting a warm glow on the scene. The color palette consists of earthy tones with green, brown, and blue hues. Mist and shadows create depth in the distance.
Olafur Eliasson, Untitled (Iceland series), 1998, chromogenic print, Gift of the Heather and Tony Podesta Collection, 2009.131.18

Untitled (Iceland series)

Olafur Eliasson · 1998 · chromogenic print ·  Accession ID  2009.131.18