Glass Works 2015

Editor: We’re looking at Ayse Erkmen’s "Glass Works" from 2015, a site-specific installation piece. I am immediately struck by the interplay between the raw industrial architecture and the almost playful use of color. What's your perspective on how the formal qualities of this work contribute to its overall impact? Curator: From a formalist perspective, the key lies in Erkmen’s manipulation of space and light. Notice how the rigid geometry of the building is softened and transformed by the horizontal bands of color cast onto the floor. The installation utilizes the inherent structure of the building and subverts our expectations of the architectural space through the introduction of an orthogonal grid of rainbow hues. Editor: The repetition of the lamps also draws my eye, they are quite industrial, no? Curator: Precisely! The stark, functional lamps create a rhythmic pattern, a counterpoint to the more diffuse color field. Erkmen skillfully balances the contrasting textures and shapes – the rough brick walls, the polished concrete floor, the manufactured lights – creating a visually stimulating composition. Editor: It's like she's using the building itself as a canvas, manipulating our perception. Curator: Yes, the interplay of light and shadow also contributes to a layering effect, enriching the visual experience. How does the scale impact your understanding? Editor: The vastness exaggerates the sense of immersion within this spectrum of light. I feel smaller within the space. I'm curious now about Erkmen's deliberate artistic choices in redefining this architecture through her mixed-media work. Curator: Ultimately, "Glass Works" exemplifies how an artist can transform a space through a keen understanding of formal elements like color, light, scale, and composition, creating an experience that is both visually captivating and conceptually stimulating. Editor: I see the intentionality behind the material choices now! It truly highlights a fresh perspective within a familiar art context.