Artist Lachlan Turczan's wavespace
Along the wild coastline of Zihuatanejo, multidisciplinary artist Lachlan Turczan merges the elemental forces of water and light into mesmerising, immersive experiences. His latest work, crafted during a residency at the visionary Musa estate in mexico, blurs the boundaries between art, nature, and meditation.
“‘I’m fascinated by how natural elements like water and light can shift our perception, creating moments of quiet reflection that feel both otherworldly and deeply familiar’”
At the break of dawn in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, along the Pacific coast, a young man stands with his jeans rolled up against the rising tide. He sets up his camera with precision, carefully adjusting the shutter speed. His silhouette contrasts against the vast, twilight-blue landscape as the first streak of sunlight emerges on the horizon. Suddenly, a glowing serpent appears to ripple through the water – or so it seems. On closer inspection, it’s not a snake at all, but a slender light reflector. This is part of an experiment led by Lachlan Turczan, a multidisciplinary artist based in Los Angeles, whose work delves into the optical and sonic properties of water.
For the past decade, Turczan has crafted a body of work exploring how water can shape light and sound. Inspired by the stark, dry landscapes of Southern California, where he grew up, he views water as both a precious resource and a medium for creating immersive, kinetic sculptures that reveal how natural phenomena can shift human perception. After graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he initially enrolled in painting, his focus swiftly shifted to experimenting with the interaction of light and water. In his Veil series, for instance, Turczan installed temporary light sculptures across remote Californian landscapes, from the misty coasts of Sea Ranch to the blistering heat of Death Valley. These installations, reminiscent of rainbows or noctilucent clouds, recreate atmospheric phenomena on an intimate scale, offering fleeting glimpses of nature’s magic through the interplay of light and water.
Now, Turczan is one of the first artists selected for a special residency by the founders of Musa, a natural estate, hotel, and artist’s retreat along the largely unexplored coast of Zihuatanejo, Mexico. This initiative was recently launched by Mexican architect Andrés Saavedra and his Canadian partner, Tara Medina. At the dinner table that evening, Turczan explains, ‘I’m fascinated by how natural elements like water and light can shift our perception, creating moments of quiet reflection that feel both otherworldly and deeply familiar'. His installation for Musa, set to debut at Salone del Mobile in Milan, strikes a balance between a light show and a sound bath – a meditative experience enhanced by singing bowls. After its unveiling, the piece will become a permanent fixture in a pavilion near a water temple, continuing his exploration of how natural elements can be harnessed to evoke sensory and emotional responses.
‘The water temple,’ Saavedra clarifies, ‘is a large, self-sustaining pond designed to enhance biodiversity. We are also considering organising mushroom ceremonies here at some point, offering guests a unique opportunity to connect with nature on a deeper, more spiritual level.’ Ever one to view life from surprising angles, Saavedra applies the same philosophy to his new art programme. ‘Residencies are often confined to a single format, place, and fixed timeframe,’ he notes. ‘We wanted to break free from that, allowing our talented guests, who come from all kinds of backgrounds, to lead the way.’ While offering artists creative freedom, Saavedra is also keen to address climate challenges. ‘It might sound a bit ambitious,’ he smiles, ‘but I have two daughters, aged 14 and 18, and thinking about the future is essential.’
With over 280,000 square metres of land, Saavedra and Medina are experimenting with solutions for climate conservation, crafting bespoke furniture in their workshop using local materials, and collaborating with a marine biologist to help restore coral reefs off the coast. Special underwater cones have been placed just offshore to support coral growth.
MUSA, which began to truly take shape in 2020, was born from the creative ventures of the couple. In 2013, Medina and Saavedra founded LOOT, a concept store in Zihuatanejo that quickly evolved into Andrés Saavedra Design, an architecture, construction, and branding firm. They also launched LOOT Studio and Gallery in Mexico City, expanding their creative influence. LOOT became a cultural hub, blending adventure, art, coffee, and design, while connecting travellers with the local community. It provided a platform for both international and Mexican artists. From these beginnings, MUSA naturally evolved, driven by LOOT's innovative and community-focused ethos. As Saavedra explains, ‘We seek diversity, welcoming everyone from creatives to innovators. Our goal is to incubate ideas and foster opportunities. We're also looking for individuals who want to actively contribute to a community.
Saavedra’s overarching vision for Musa is to create an adventurous, self-sustaining community nestled in nature, featuring a variety of home types – 90% of which have already been sold to a diverse mix of South Americans and Europeans, ranging from musicians to entrepreneurs with young families. The development includes a newly opened school, which is also accessible to children from the Zihuatanejo neighbourhood, as well as a hotel. At guesthouse Hotelito, people can stay and fully immerse themselves in the Musa experience. Alongside Turczan, other artists have been invited, including scientist Rachal Garrard, who has created a stone sculpture on the beach and a painting for the lobby. Guests can also embark on a breathtaking art walk, immersing themselves in the ever-evolving outdoor museum that continually inspires and provokes thoughts about the world we live in and the future we are creating for generations to come.
