Wide White Flow 2006

Hans Haacke made this dreamy cloud, called Wide White Flow, out of fabric and a simple fan motor. It's not just about the material, but about the process, about setting things in motion. The fabric breathes and undulates, creating this quiet, contemplative space right here in the gallery. What is so interesting about Haacke is that he is not just a formalist but is also engaging political questions. You might imagine you are in the clouds, or a snowy field, or looking at some soft white waves. It’s the kind of work that makes you think about ephemerality and change, not just in the art world, but in the wider world, like the Fluxus movement which embraces spontaneity and the everyday. I find myself thinking about how simple means can be used to create complexity, it suggests art is always in conversation, always flowing.