The Icelandic-Danish artist reclaims public areas with Lifeworld, exploring artwork’s function in conflicts and crises.
Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson’s newest work, Lifeworld, transforms public areas, reclaiming LED screens from consumerism to encourage reflection. Having put in it in huge cities like London, Seoul, and New York, Eliasson invitations passers-by to pause and think about the push of contemporary life and the challenges we face, akin to battle, inequality, and the local weather disaster.
As his immersive art work takes over bustling intersections, Eliasson explores whether or not artwork can encourage introspection in a world dominated by shopper tradition. Can a second of reflection make a distinction? Olafur Eliasson talks to Al Jazeera.
