The Los Angeles Light and Space movement, emerging in the 1960s, cultivated a unique ethos centered on radical experimentation with perception. Artists abandoned traditional artistic mediums in favor of industrial materials like resin, fiberglass, and neon, embracing technological advancements. This interdisciplinary approach blurred the lines between art, science, and engineering. Artists fostered open dialogue and shared technical knowledge, collectively pushing the boundaries of what constituted art. This shared exploration was less about individual genius and more about collective discovery, where each artist's work built upon and challenged the others.

Several environmental factors contributed to this scenius. The booming aerospace industry in Southern California provided not only the necessary materials but also a mindset of innovation and a readily available pool of skilled fabricators. The region's unique light quality, diffused by smog and reflecting off the Pacific Ocean, further fueled the artists' interest in manipulating light and space. This confluence of technological possibility, a spirit of collaboration, and the very environment itself fostered a unique environment for artistic exploration and perceptual revolution.

• James Turrell: Key Member. A pioneering artist known for his immersive light installations.

• Robert Irwin: Key Member. A significant figure in environmental art and a key developer of Light and Space principles.

• Doug Wheeler: Key Member. Known for his explorations of perception and light using minimal forms.

• Larry Bell: Key Member. Famous for his vacuum-sealed glass cubes reflecting light and space.

• Peter Alexander: Key Member. Created works exploring light, color, and perception, often involving mirrored surfaces.

• Helen Pashgian: Key Member. Known for her luminous, resin sculptures.

• Eric Orr: Key Member. Created large-scale, environment-altering light installations.

• Name: Light and Space exhibitions and installations

• Description: Artworks exploring the manipulation and perception of light and space, often using industrial materials and techniques.

• Year: Primarily 1960s-1970s (ongoing influence)

• Name: James Turrell's Roden Crater project

• Description: A large-scale earthwork and observatory designed to manipulate natural light and create immersive environments. Ongoing.

• Year: Began in 1979 (ongoing)

• Name: Robert Irwin's Central Garden at the Getty Center

• Description: A meticulously designed garden that interacts with its environment and the viewer's perception of space.

• Year: Completed in 1997

• Name: Various publications and articles on the movement in art journals and books

• Description: Documentation and analysis of the artistic practices and philosophies of the Light and Space artists. No single publication stands out as a singular "breakthrough".

• Year: 1970s-present

• Name: Works by artists like Peter Alexander, Doug Wheeler, and Larry Bell

• Description: Sculptures, paintings, and installations exploring light, reflection, and perception through unique materials and methods (e.g., vacuum-formed glass, fluorescent light).

• Year: Primarily 1960s-1970s (ongoing influence)

• Influenced By: Minimalism; Emphasis on the interaction of light and space reflects Minimalist principles of reduction and essential forms.
• Influenced By: Abstract Expressionism; The focus on process and the subjective experience of the viewer draws upon Abstract Expressionist ideas.
• Influenced By: California landscape painting; The dramatic light and expansive spaces of the California landscape served as inspiration for many Light and Space artists.
• Collaborated With: James Turrell; A key figure whose work exemplifies the movement's exploration of light and perception.
• Collaborated With: Robert Irwin; Another central figure known for his immersive environments that manipulate light and space.
• Collaborated With: Doug Wheeler; His work significantly contributed to the movement's exploration of perceptual phenomena through light.
• Influenced: Contemporary art; The movement's exploration of perception and environment has had a lasting impact on contemporary art practices.