FGF, Warsaw 2007

Curator: Pawel Althamer's "FGF, Warsaw" creates a fascinating dialogue about space and existence. Editor: The rawness strikes me first; its unfinished quality gives it a very vulnerable presence. Curator: It's interesting you say that. Althamer often explores themes of social exclusion and community through his art. This piece, exhibited at the Tate, certainly evokes a sense of temporary shelter, perhaps reflecting on the housing crisis in Warsaw. Editor: Yes, the basic construction does speak to that. But look at the contrast between the crude materials and the care taken in arranging objects within the "room". The striped canopy introduces an unexpected element of play. Curator: Exactly! This juxtaposition is typical of Althamer's style. He blends the personal and the political to comment on the human condition within a specific social context. Editor: Seeing the geometric structure of the room set against the more whimsical forms of the canopy certainly changes how I view it. Curator: Ultimately, "FGF, Warsaw" challenges our understanding of home. Editor: It prompts us to look more carefully at the interplay between form and meaning.