On Water 2017

Ayşe Erkmen invites us to reconsider our relationship with the environment and architecture in On Water. The magic of this piece lies in its deceptive simplicity. We see people casually strolling across a body of water as if defying the laws of physics. But look closer. It’s not a miracle; it’s an intervention. Erkmen installed a submerged walkway, a hidden structure that becomes visible through the act of participation. The work brings to mind Christo and Jeanne-Claude's large-scale interventions, where landscapes are temporarily transformed. However, Erkmen’s work is more subtle, inviting quiet contemplation, like Roni Horn's minimalist sculptures that alter our perception of space and light. Both artists embrace ambiguity, prompting us to question what we see and how we experience the world around us.