In the center of the room is Double spiral (2001), a coiled stainless steel installation that spins in vertical motion. The long steel tube is coiled from a looped large, open spiral surrounding a tighter, narrower spiral. The giant spiral hangs from the ceiling so that the motor allows it to rotate slowly. An illusion of waves ascending and descending is produced.

Olafur Eliasson, Double spiral, 2001, Courtesy: neugerriemschneider, Berlin; Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York / Los Angeles, Photo: Alma Reyes

Another captivating artwork has been created specifically for the exhibition. The air we breathe (2023) is made from recycled fans, stainless steel and zinc waste salvaged from the mining industry. It serves as Eliasson’s first experimental technique of utilizing recycled materials. Four desk fans are set at the top of the column as they blow currents of air in four directions. One can feel the subtle touch of air gliding on the skin.

Olafur Eliasson, The air we breathe, 2023, Courtesy: neugerriemschneider, Berlin; Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York / Los Angeles, Photo: Alma Reyes

On the walls are six circular artworks completed by specially designed drawing and painting machines installed in the desert near Doha, Qatar. The project was part of Eliasson’s recent exhibition “The curious desert, 2023” held at the National Museum of Qatar.

Olafur Eliasson, Drawings from Olafur Eliasson: The curious desert, 2023, Photo: Alma Reyes

Drawings from Olafur Eliasson: The curious desert (2023) include two Sun drawings drawn on burned white paper on composite board. They utilized sunlight and glass spheres to burn marks on steadily rotating sheets of paper. The other four Wind Drawings were painted by two machines that mixed lagoon water and black pigment. A pendulum driven by the wind allowed drawing utensils to move across the surface of the turning canvas and leave undulating marks.