We the People (detail) 2011

Danh Vō made "We the People" from copper. What strikes me is the way this artwork plays with scale and fragmentation. The details, like these massive finger segments, are rendered with incredible precision. You can almost feel the cool, smooth surface of the copper, and the subtle variations in color that give it depth. Looking closely, you can see the seams and joins where the pieces were assembled. It reminds us that this isn't a solid, monolithic object, but a collection of individual parts, carefully crafted and put together. Each piece is like a brushstroke or a dab of paint, contributing to the overall effect, which is a bit like a puzzle. Vō is in conversation with artists like Constantin Brancusi. His work invites us to slow down, to question our assumptions, and to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the world around us. It’s an ongoing conversation, with new voices and perspectives constantly being added to the mix.