Tucked in the back of the DeYoung Museum’s garden is a hidden oculus buried underground that provides a moment of either meditation or social overload. I am sure 99% of people miss that the entrance to the Turrell Skyspace is behind a hedge in the back right corner of the De Young’s garden.

Down a long ramp, you enter a curved high walled walk that finally opens to a small domed room with an oculus open to the sky. The thing about the skyspace that makes it special is that the experience changes every time I enter. The light of the day and season changes the look and color of the inside. If it is raining it’s wonderful to see the drops fall through the circle in the ceiling. But the biggest impact is who happens to be there with you.

If you are alone, it is a beautiful meditation. If you are visiting and happy children are there it becomes an echo chamber of excitement and joy. I have been there when groups were chanting and when people couldn’t figure out what they were supposed to do. Every visit is a performance in the round and unique.