Phillip K. Smith III is recognized for his large-scale installations that live at the intersection of architecture and light.

Such installations and public projects, both temporary and permanent, have been situated in Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Kansas City, Nashville, Oklahoma City, Miami, and Milan.

Uniquely suited to the Museum’s historic architecture, Three Half Lozenges activates the façade with a slowly changing program of LED lights that emerge over time beginning at dusk. This long-term installation returns the Museum’s Washington Street exterior to the original state of its 1926 edifice.

Artist Insights: Phillip K. Smith III discusses his new light installation

About the Artist

Phillip K. Smith III is an American artist in Southern California known for his light-based work that draws upon ideas of space, form, color, shadow, environment, and change. Growing up in Los Angeles and Palm Desert, CA, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1996. The following year Smith received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from RISD. After stints in Brooklyn and Boston, Smith moved to Indio, CA, where he established his studio practice. His prolific projects and publications have been ongoing ever since.

Phillip K. Smith III, Torus 9, 2014 Acrylic, plywood, LED lights, 46 x 8 3/4 in. (116.8 x 22.2 cm) Gift of Loren G. Lipson, M.D., 2017 2017.39 © Phillip K. Smith, III, Lance Gerber Photography 

Phillip K. Smith III’s Three Half Lozenges, 2017‑2021 Existing historic windows, alupoly, aluminum, LED lighting, electronic components, unique color choreography. Photo by Lance Gerber. Courtesy of artist

Phillip K. Smith III’s Three Half Lozenges, 2017‑2021 Existing historic windows, alupoly, aluminum, LED lighting, electronic components, unique color choreography. Photo by Lance Gerber. Courtesy of artist

Phillip K. Smith III’s Three Half Lozenges, 2017‑2021 Existing historic windows, alupoly, aluminum, LED lighting, electronic components, unique color choreography. Photo by Lance Gerber. Courtesy of artist

 

Three Half Lozenges is the second work by Smith to enter the Museum’s collection. Torus 9, acquired in 2017, is a wall-mounted light sculpture with a stunning, slowly changing color palette inspired by the sun setting across the California desert.