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Amanzoe, the luxury resort in the Peloponnese, reveals its latest addition - a permanent installation by revered artist, James Turrell.

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Taking its name from the Sanskrit-derived word for ‘peace’ and the Greek word for ‘life’, Amanzoe is a 38-suite luxury resort that is situated on a hilltop, close to the town of Porto Heli on the East coast of the Peloponnese. Offering guests panoramic views of the coastline, as well as a private Beach Club in a picturesque bay, the Amanzoe collection should evoke feelings of peace and belonging. A recent addition to the Amanzoe collection is a unique art installation, which is becoming a permanent feature to Villa 31 of Amanzoe.

Villa 31 is located on the Western ridge of the resort, offering unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape and Aegean Sea – the perfect location for such a unique addition. The installation, called Sky Plain, has been created by internationally renowned artist James Turrell; having been dubbed one of the most “influential artists of the last half century”, James’ art is primarily concerned with light and space. For over fifty years, he has drawn his inspiration from nature, astronomy, architecture and theology, using light as his main material to affect and alter the viewer’s perceptions.

Sky Plain is no different in this way – but it is the only permanent installation by Turrell in the Mediterranean. Other works of his include Roden Crater, a monumental artwork within a volcano in Northern Arizona, and previous solo exhibitions of work in New York and Houston. This latest piece, which was specially created for Amanzoe, takes the form of an immersive 6-metre by 6-metre cubic building with a large opening in the ceiling, which opens the room up to the Peloponnese sky above.

“We are creatures of the light, especially sunlight,” Turrell mentions when discussing the work. “Without light, there is no life. Amanzoe means ‘peaceful life’ and I hope those who experience this work will feel a peaceful sense of the power of the light… I use light to explore perception but I did not create the light,” he continues. “This work is about sharing the light”.

Thanks to the Sky Plain installation, guests staying at Villa 31 will be able to experience a uniquely intimate relationship with the way the light changes in the sky above. Considering it is part of the villa, those who wish to view Sky Plain and who are staying in the villa can do so at their leisure. By allowing people to view the artwork at different times of day, Sky Plain will constantly be changing and revealing new, hidden depths of the Peloponnese landscape.

However, other guests to the resort are also able to view the installation if the villa is available. This viewing comes as part of a unique dining experience that Amanzoe offer, which includes dinner and culminates in a private immersion within the installation building. Apart from the Sky Plain installation, Amanzoe’s villa 31 also features a master bedroom, private pool, kitchen, living room and extensive terraces set around a quiet reflection pool.

Considering the Amanzoe resort is inspired by classic architecture, and is a contemporary interpretation of ancient Greek temples, the resort is the perfect setting for Turrell’s magnificent Sky Plain. Surrounded by untouched wilderness and an ancient, historical landscape, Amanzoe would be a wonder to visit in its own right – but the new art installation gives an extra special touch.