Condensation Cube 2008

Hans Haacke made this *Condensation Cube* out of perspex, water and air. When I look at it, I’m thinking of a drawing, but with atmosphere instead of ink. The process is the point here, this is not a static object. The work invites us to consider the physical properties of its materials as well as the environmental conditions that activate its aesthetic potential. The condensation forms these tiny little droplets that run down the sides, making marks like the traces of a brush. The cube is so simple and minimal, it reminds me of Sol LeWitt's structures. But with Haacke, it’s not just about the geometric form, it’s about what happens inside the form. You can never see the same cube twice! It is beautiful in its ephemerality, isn’t it? This piece asks how we can embrace chance and change in our lives and in art.