He began as a charismatic painter in LA’s late ’60s ‘cool school’ scene, then turned his back on the art world for nearly a decade to pursue pure dialogue, philosophy and experimentation. As Irwin explored the nature of materials, light, and perception itself, he made his living as a gambler at the racetrack and as a beloved teacher, nurturing the talents of a diverse group of now-famous artists including Chris Burden, Ed Ruscha and Vija Celmins.

In an art world dominated by spectacle, Irwin’s installations transform our experience of being in the world using the simplest of materials. His unconventional – and often ephemeral – projects resist categorisation and defy commodification; ‘catching lightning in a bottle’ is the artist’s favourite metaphor for what he does. From his early experiments with biofeedback to his dazzling experiential installation in Marfa, Texas, Irwin’s career has been defined by radical gestures that investigate the value of human sensory experience in a world that is becoming increasingly mechanised. 

On Thursday 26 October, the ICA presents the European premiere of the film followed by a conversation with author Lawrence Weschler.