Light and Time Incident

Dale Eldred

American, (1933-1993)

Light and Time Incident, 1995

Aluminum, diffraction grating, glass and stainless steel six panels, each 8' x 8' x 65.5'

The Utah Arts Council, Percent-for-Art Program Purchase

---

Dale Eldred’s Light and Time Incident is located on the south-facing atrium of the Merrill-Cazier Library. The installation consists of seven vertically hanging panels, each containing eight rectangles of diffraction grating. During the day, the grating separates light streaming in through the atrium’s windows into the various wavelengths of the visible color spectrum. Eldred is known for exploring the natural phenomenon of light in his sculptures and has used materials such as mirrors, gas flames, fluorescent paint, and neon light tubes to create various light effects. Eldred made Light and Time Incident as part of Utah’s Public Art Program. Founded in 1985, the program designates one percent of construction costs from a new or renovated state public building for site-specific artwork at the facility.