Three Dimensional

I wish I could transport the entire sculpture department at my university in Turkey here to Documenta. The 3D work in Turkey is stuck somewhere in the 1950s, with traditional marble and casting techniques predominating. Marble is beautiful, but what can you say with it easily, quickly, and urgently about what’s important NOW?
The sculpture in Kassel was great, better than the photography, painting and video. A few highlights:
Tanaka Atsuko’s Electric Dress(1956!!!!!, can you believe this?) Japanese Gutai performance artist Tanaka’s Electric Dress is fantastic as a sculpture both switched on and off. There were also photographs of her wearing it in the 1950s. I love everything about this piece: it’s color, its abstract repetive forms, it’s interactivity, it’s femaleness, it’s vanity, it’s messiness, it’s contemporary power.
The Zoo Story (2007) by German conceptual artist Peter Friedl, in a exhibition hall filled with cloth and stuffed works. The giraffe died in panic caused by the second Intifada in 2002 in the West Bank’s only zoo. I like this piece because it approaches a complex political problem in a fresh, funny and heartbreaking way, something that children can understand.
Template (2007), wooden doors and windows from destroyed Ming and Qing Dynasty houses by Ai Weiwei. The tower stood for only a few days before collapsing in a wind and rain storm (no one was hurt). The artist decided not to rebuild the structure because he thought it more beautiful and accurate as a ruin. I definitely agree.