Clifford Ross

Clifford Ross: Digital Waves transforms the National Gallery of Art’s central Rotunda into an immersive ocean of light. A 23-foot-tall screen displays waves of glowing pixels, creating a constantly shifting “light storm” that suggests the unpredictable movement and power of the sea.

Ross’s installation grows out of decades of artistic study, including photographs of hurricane waves and computer-generated videos of the ocean. In this work, millions of pixels correspond to individual LED bulbs, together mimicking the seemingly random shapes and motion of waves. Visitors can experience the installation beside the Rotunda’s cascading fountain and reflect on the complexity, movement, and wonder of the ocean.

When: January 21–October 18, 2026

Venue: National Gallery of Art, West Building Main Floor, Rotunda

Tickets: Free

Admission: Passes are not required.

Artwork: *Digital Waves*, 2026, computer-generated video

Organization: Organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington

Note: The installation is presented on a 23-foot-tall screen in the Rotunda.