Collection by Allie Weiss

Eight of Our Favorite Works by Artist Olafur Eliasson

In our upcoming April issue, we spotlight a new book from Phaidon dedicated to the daily, homemade meals that take place in artist Olafur Eliasson's 90-person Berlin studio. Here, we share a primer on the genre-bending practice, which is known for using sculpture, mirrors, and light to create transformative objects and landscapes.

"Beauty," Olafur Eliasson, 1993.

In this work, a spotlight shines through a layer of mist to create a rainbow that's only visible from certain angles.
"Beauty," Olafur Eliasson, 1993. In this work, a spotlight shines through a layer of mist to create a rainbow that's only visible from certain angles.
"Green River," Olafur Eliasson, 1998.

The artist turned waterways green by introducing uranine, a water-soluble dye used to test ocean currents. Pictured here is the striking result in Moss, Norway, one of six locations where this piece was realized.
"Green River," Olafur Eliasson, 1998. The artist turned waterways green by introducing uranine, a water-soluble dye used to test ocean currents. Pictured here is the striking result in Moss, Norway, one of six locations where this piece was realized.
"Model Room," Olafur Eliasson, 2003.

A collaboration with Einar Thorsteinn, this display showcases a vivid landscape of models and prototypes at Martin-Gropius-Bau in Berlin.
"Model Room," Olafur Eliasson, 2003. A collaboration with Einar Thorsteinn, this display showcases a vivid landscape of models and prototypes at Martin-Gropius-Bau in Berlin.
"Riverbed," Olafur Eliasson, 2014.

This site-specific installation for the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk, Denmark, creates a complete rocky enviornment inside the white-walled gallery.
"Riverbed," Olafur Eliasson, 2014. This site-specific installation for the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk, Denmark, creates a complete rocky enviornment inside the white-walled gallery.
"Sunspace for Shibukawa," Olafur Eliasson, 2009.

This stainless steel observatory, stationed in Shibukawa, Japan, contains a number of glass oculi that capture the movement of light throughout the day, creating varying projections in the interior.
"Sunspace for Shibukawa," Olafur Eliasson, 2009. This stainless steel observatory, stationed in Shibukawa, Japan, contains a number of glass oculi that capture the movement of light throughout the day, creating varying projections in the interior.
"Your Rainbow Panorama," Olafur Eliasson, 2006-2011.

Eliasson's team created a 360-degree walkway above the ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum in Denmark, which provides panoramic views of the surrounding city, filtered through colored glass that forms a rainbow loop.
"Your Rainbow Panorama," Olafur Eliasson, 2006-2011. Eliasson's team created a 360-degree walkway above the ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum in Denmark, which provides panoramic views of the surrounding city, filtered through colored glass that forms a rainbow loop.
"The New York City Waterfalls," Olafur Eliasson, 2008.

Four massive waterfalls were temporarily installed along the East River, including one underneath the Brooklyn Bridge.
"The New York City Waterfalls," Olafur Eliasson, 2008. Four massive waterfalls were temporarily installed along the East River, including one underneath the Brooklyn Bridge.