James Lee Byars: The White Mass

The works of influential cult artist James Lee Byars explore themes of death, transformation and transience, and are deceptively simple in form, yet pack a tremendous existential punch. Legendary for his performances, sculptures and installations across the U.S. and Europe, Byars today can be seen to have pioneered a stance that combined dandyism with a generous spirituality. Explored here is one of his last pieces, The White Mass.