Dan Flavin Quotations

A piece of wall can be visually disintegrated from the whole into a separate triangle by plunging a diagonal of light from edge to edge on the wall; that is, side to floor, for instance.

One might not think of light as a matter of fact, but I do. And it is, as I said, as plain and open and direct an art as you will ever find.

It is what it is, and it ain't nothin' else... Everything is clearly, openly, plainly delivered.

Realizing this, I knew that the actual space of a room could be broken down and played with by planting illusions of real light (electric light) at crucial junctures in the room's composition.

My icons do not raise up the blessed savior in elaborate cathedrals. They are constructed concentrations celebrating barren rooms. They bring a limited light.

Electric light is just another instrument. I have no desire to contrive fantasies mediumistically or sociologically over it or beyond it.

I like my use of light to be openly situational in the sense that there is no invitation to meditate, to contemplate.