Rice University's James Turrell Skyspace 'Twilight Epiphany' reopens after two years

James Turrell's "Twilight Epiphany" Skyspace at Rice University reopened Tuesday after a two year closure. The Moody Center for the Arts replaced the structure's original lighting fixtures and controls during the shutdown caused by construction of nearby Virani Hall.

The Moody Center, which oversees the Skyspace, installed an LED lighting system under the supervision of Turrell's studio. The renovation restored the daily sunrise and sunset light sequences.

The artwork closed while Rice built Virani Hall. The construction gave the Moody Center a window to upgrade the lighting system that drives the piece's shifting color sequences.

"For students, it is an integral part of campus life. For Houstonians, it's a part of the city's identity, and for art enthusiasts around the world, it's a beacon that brings them to Rice University for a singular experience," Joel Thompson, deputy director of the Moody Center for the Arts, said in a statement.

Rice described the Skyspace as a performance space acoustically engineered to host concerts and act as a laboratory for students at the Shepherd School of Music.

The pyramid structure opened in 2012 and seats 120 people across two levels. It is the only two story Skyspace among the more than 100 Turrell has created worldwide, according to the Moody Center.

Before the closure, the installation drew an estimated 20,000 visitors a year.

The light sequences run about 40 minutes at sunrise and sunset each day. Attendance is free.

Visitors planning a sunrise session should arrive about an hour early. For sunset, arriving 10 to 15 minutes early can help secure a seat, because capacity is limited to 120 people at a time.

Turrell also has installations at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and the Live Oak Friends Meeting House.

With the new lighting system in place, the university expects the Skyspace to resume daily sessions and student programming.