Empty Lot

Brilliant installation at Tate Modern by Abraham Cruzvillegas in the Turbine Hall.

This is a large raised diamond shaped platform with small diamond shaped raised beds filled with earth from around London. The idea is to keep the earth warm and watered and see what grows from it without adding seeds although people can drop seeds into the boxes nearest the walkway.

The commentary says it is based on Mexican growing grids called Chinampas and the shape has been devised in response to the shape of the hall. The artist says the work is about feelings of hope and expectation.

The work does fill the space beautifully and it is strangely mesmerising to just look down into the boxes and to look at what has grown already and what might be there to grow in the future. I look forward to revisiting often in the next six months to see things develop.

Closes 3 April 2016.

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