Lux and Lumen: Spencer Finch
Lux and Lumen: Spencer Finch
September 16, 2022
The Hill Art Foundation is pleased to announce Lux and Lumen: Spencer Finch. The exhibition places new and recent works by Spencer Finch in dialogue with a 16th-century stained glass window by the Renaissance master Valentin Bousch. Bousch’s The Creation and the Expulsion from Paradise (1533) was acquired by Tom and Janine Hill in 2018 for the Hill Art Foundation and has undergone extensive conservation under the leadership of Drew Anderson and Timothy Husband. In conceiving this exhibition, Finch worked closely with the conservation team to understand the connections between the stained glass window and his own practice. The title comes from the ideas of Abbot Suger (circa 1081–1151), abbot of the cathedral at Saint-Denis and an early patron of Gothic architecture in Europe. Suger believed in the power of stained glass to transform natural light, lux, into sacred light, or lumen. Finch expands on these ideas in relation to the Bousch stained glass and modern secular sites. One such example is the monumental Painting Air, an immersive installation that transforms the Foundation’s double-story gallery into a lightscape inspired by Claude Monet’s garden at Giverny.
Lux and Lumen: Spencer Finch opens one week after the artist’s solo exhibition at James Cohan Gallery, We send the wave to find the wave. Taken together, the two exhibitions represent a celebration of Finch’s exploration of light, atmosphere, and time.
The Creation and Expulsion window by Valentin Bousch is a masterpiece that will be installed semi-permanently in the Hill Art Foundation space. The below video, filmed and edited by Matthew Herrmann, documents the complex installation of the work. Timothy Husband produced extensive scholarship surrounding the window and its conservation, excerpts of which can be read here as well. These texts will be published in our upcoming catalogue, Lux and Lumen: Spencer Finch and Valentin Bousch at Hill Art Foundation. For a panel-by-panel breakdown of the Creation and Expulsion window, scroll down or view the full virtual exhibition here.
![Two boxes hanging from the ceiling facing the Chelsea neighborhood, one with a blue filter and...](https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-10.jpg 2400w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-10-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-10-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-10-170x113.jpg 170w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-10-400x267.jpg 400w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-10-600x400.jpg 600w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-10-800x533.jpg 800w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-10-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-10-1600x1067.jpg 1600w)
Spencer Finch
Manhattan Light Study (morning becomes afternoon, afternoon becomes morning), 2022
Two boxes; Powder coated aluminum, plexiglass, filters
Each: 18 × 18 × 12 inches (45.7 × 45.7 × 30.5 cm)
![A stained glass window installed against a backed lighting depicting a biblical scene of the Creation...](https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bousch-Stained-Glass_full-view_Edit-01.jpg 1757w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bousch-Stained-Glass_full-view_Edit-01-1124x1536.jpg 1124w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bousch-Stained-Glass_full-view_Edit-01-1499x2048.jpg 1499w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bousch-Stained-Glass_full-view_Edit-01-102x140.jpg 102w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bousch-Stained-Glass_full-view_Edit-01-293x400.jpg 293w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bousch-Stained-Glass_full-view_Edit-01-439x600.jpg 439w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bousch-Stained-Glass_full-view_Edit-01-586x800.jpg 586w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bousch-Stained-Glass_full-view_Edit-01-879x1200.jpg 879w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bousch-Stained-Glass_full-view_Edit-01-1171x1600.jpg 1171w)
Valentin Bousch
The Creation and the Expulsion from Paradise, 1533
Stained glass and vitreous enamel
114 × 90 inches (289.6 × 228.6 cm)
![A large gallery with the walls painted with squares of blue, green, purple, yellow, and red. There...](https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-01-Crop_Edit-01.jpg 2400w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-01-Crop_Edit-01-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-01-Crop_Edit-01-2048x1367.jpg 2048w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-01-Crop_Edit-01-170x113.jpg 170w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-01-Crop_Edit-01-400x267.jpg 400w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-01-Crop_Edit-01-600x401.jpg 600w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-01-Crop_Edit-01-800x534.jpg 800w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-01-Crop_Edit-01-1200x801.jpg 1200w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-01-Crop_Edit-01-1600x1068.jpg 1600w)
Spencer Finch
Painting Air, 2022
Glass, hardware, wall painting
Dimensions variable
![Tubular LED light fixtures arranged to form a circle on the wall.](https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-06_Edit-01.jpg 2400w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-06_Edit-01-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-06_Edit-01-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-06_Edit-01-170x113.jpg 170w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-06_Edit-01-400x267.jpg 400w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-06_Edit-01-600x400.jpg 600w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-06_Edit-01-800x533.jpg 800w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-06_Edit-01-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-06_Edit-01-1600x1067.jpg 1600w)
Spencer Finch
Rose Window at Saint-Denis (morning effect), 2022
LED fixtures, LED lamps, filters
Diameter: 76 1/2 inches (194.31 cm)
![Seven multicolor square paintings hung horizontally on white wall](https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Studio-Window_7-works-installation-composite.jpg 2400w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Studio-Window_7-works-installation-composite-1536x838.jpg 1536w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Studio-Window_7-works-installation-composite-2048x1117.jpg 2048w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Studio-Window_7-works-installation-composite-170x93.jpg 170w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Studio-Window_7-works-installation-composite-400x218.jpg 400w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Studio-Window_7-works-installation-composite-600x327.jpg 600w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Studio-Window_7-works-installation-composite-800x436.jpg 800w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Studio-Window_7-works-installation-composite-1200x655.jpg 1200w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Studio-Window_7-works-installation-composite-1600x873.jpg 1600w)
Spencer Finch
Studio window, summer (infrared, early morning, late morning, early afternoon, mid-afternoon, late afternoon, early evening, evening, 6/24/22), 2022
Suite of seven; Oil pastel on paper
Each: 30 × 29 1/2 inches (76.2 × 74.93 cm)
![white square paper on white background framed with wood against white background with writing in...](https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Checklist-6_Hannibal-Crossing-the-Alps-2-Views_HR.jpg 8780w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Checklist-6_Hannibal-Crossing-the-Alps-2-Views_HR-170x128.jpg 170w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Checklist-6_Hannibal-Crossing-the-Alps-2-Views_HR-400x300.jpg 400w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Checklist-6_Hannibal-Crossing-the-Alps-2-Views_HR-600x450.jpg 600w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Checklist-6_Hannibal-Crossing-the-Alps-2-Views_HR-800x600.jpg 800w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Checklist-6_Hannibal-Crossing-the-Alps-2-Views_HR-1200x900.jpg 1200w)
Spencer Finch
Hannibal Crossing the Alps (2 Views), 2001
Pastel, pencil, and color pencil on paper
15 × 22 1/2 inches (38.1 × 57.15 cm)
![Drawing of offwhite square with turquoise outline framed with wood hung on white wall with writing...](https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Abstraction-3_2001.jpg 2400w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Abstraction-3_2001-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Abstraction-3_2001-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Abstraction-3_2001-170x128.jpg 170w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Abstraction-3_2001-400x300.jpg 400w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Abstraction-3_2001-600x450.jpg 600w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Abstraction-3_2001-800x600.jpg 800w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Abstraction-3_2001-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Abstraction-3_2001-1600x1200.jpg 1600w)
Spencer Finch
Abstraction #3, 2001
Pastel, pencil, and color pencil on paper
15 × 22 1/2 inches (38.1 × 57.15 cm)
![Drawing of two offwhite squares with turquoise outline framed with wood hung on white wall with...](https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Supremacist-Composition-Boy-with-Knap-Sack_2001.jpg 1800w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Supremacist-Composition-Boy-with-Knap-Sack_2001-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Supremacist-Composition-Boy-with-Knap-Sack_2001-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Supremacist-Composition-Boy-with-Knap-Sack_2001-105x140.jpg 105w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Supremacist-Composition-Boy-with-Knap-Sack_2001-300x400.jpg 300w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Supremacist-Composition-Boy-with-Knap-Sack_2001-450x600.jpg 450w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Supremacist-Composition-Boy-with-Knap-Sack_2001-600x800.jpg 600w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Supremacist-Composition-Boy-with-Knap-Sack_2001-900x1200.jpg 900w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Supremacist-Composition-Boy-with-Knap-Sack_2001-1200x1600.jpg 1200w)
Spencer Finch
Supremacist Composition (Boy with Knap Sack), 2001
Pastel, pencil, and color pencil on paper
22 1/2 × 15 inches (57.15 × 38.1 cm)
![Drawing of offwhite trapezoid with turquoise outline framed with wood hung on white wall with writing...](https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Window-Neighbors_2001.jpg 2400w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Window-Neighbors_2001-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Window-Neighbors_2001-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Window-Neighbors_2001-170x128.jpg 170w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Window-Neighbors_2001-400x300.jpg 400w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Window-Neighbors_2001-600x450.jpg 600w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Window-Neighbors_2001-800x600.jpg 800w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Window-Neighbors_2001-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Finch_Window-Neighbors_2001-1600x1200.jpg 1600w)
Spencer Finch
Window (Neighbors), 2001
Pastel, pencil, and color pencil on paper
15 × 22 1/2 inches (38.1 × 57.15 cm)
![Seven inkjet photographs of a bedroom from the outside in hung horizontally on white wall](https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-05-at-3.40.05 PM.png 2130w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-05-at-3.40.05 PM-1536x319.png 1536w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-05-at-3.40.05 PM-2048x425.png 2048w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-05-at-3.40.05 PM-170x35.png 170w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-05-at-3.40.05 PM-400x83.png 400w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-05-at-3.40.05 PM-600x125.png 600w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-05-at-3.40.05 PM-800x166.png 800w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-05-at-3.40.05 PM-1200x249.png 1200w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-05-at-3.40.05 PM-1600x332.png 1600w)
Spencer Finch
The Outer—from the Inner (Emily Dickinson’s Bedroom, dusk), 2018
Suite of seven; Archival inkjet photographs
Each: 15 1/2 × 15 1/2 inches (39.37 × 39.37 cm)
![A stain glass window made from sheets of warm tones of Lambert glass, casting a warm tone of shadow...](https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-11.jpg 2400w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-11-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-11-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-11-170x113.jpg 170w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-11-400x267.jpg 400w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-11-600x400.jpg 600w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-11-800x533.jpg 800w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-11-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://hillartfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HAF_Spencer-Finch-Installation-11-1600x1067.jpg 1600w)
Spencer Finch
Candlelight (CIE 529/418), 2022
Stained glass, steel frame
Dimensions variable