Visual artist Jim Lambie can transform an ordinary empty space into something magical by just using everyday vinyl tape. By using angles and lines of contrasting colour that suggest movement and optical illusions, the viewers have a instant visual interaction with his artwork. Most of his work take up to several weeks to complete. As a former musician, Jim draws on musical references as inspiration.
Lambie has a musical background. Like music, his art fills its surroundings and transforms the environment. As Lambie says, “You put a record on and it’s like all the edges disappear. You’re in a psychological space. You don’t sit there thinking about the music, you’re listening to the music. You’re inside that space that the music’s making for you.”
Lambie’s work exists only as long as it is installed in art space: it cannot be reproduced in another space with a similar effect. Although Lambie does not share the highly theoretical framework of minimalist artists, both share an interest in direct art experience. As with Carl Andre’s minimalist walk-on floor pieces, Lambie’s spectator enters into the space of the art object.
