13 Rooms of equal dimensions (approx 3.5 x 3.5m) were built within a flexible high-volume space of Pier 2/3 and the space in-between was cleverly used for changing rooms. Apart from well thought utilisation of available space, the organic plan allowed visitors to navigate themselves as they please, unlike a usual one directional route.
Out of 13 living sculptures, Man=flesh / Woman=flesh - FLAT, 1997 was most appealing for me. A very small space lit by a dim light had one person lying silently, at times staring at the viewer. The installation really made the viewer experience the confinement and the pain.
The artwork of Xu Zhen, who often has a sophisticated trickery in his works, had a body floating mysteriously in space as if it is frozen in time. In Just a Blink of an Eye, 2005, surely caught eye of all viewers, many of them trying to find how a living person can defy the constraints of physics.
Thirteen Colourful Inside Jobs, 2013 by John Baldessari was indeed the most colourful one. The performer aka painter is continuously changing the colour of the room in duration of the exhibition.
Revolving Door, 2011 was grey and interactive, where a group of dancers wearing grey costume form a revolving door and march in various dance movements in a circular motion.
The only Australian artists were the duo Clark Beaumont from Brisbane who were investigating interpersonal relationships in Coexisting, 2013, where both artists were sharing a small plinth for the whole day making themselves seen as a sculptural form.
From as simple as Veterans of the Wars of Afghanistan, Timor-Leste, Iraq and Vietnam Facing the Corner, 2013, to a complex installation Future / Perfect, 2012, to Hans, George, 1992 that required cast of twins, all the installations were powerful and unique. No wonder the exhibition attracted big crowds and at times had 45mins wait to get in.
For those who want to know more, information of each artist and project is available on Kaldor Art Projects website. Also, Catalogue is available to purchase featuring exclusive images, texts and insights into this very special project.