Soot

Soot is a wall-based work covered in paper ash. At first glance, the surface appears solid, but because the paper has been burned completely, the resulting ash is extremely fragile and light. When touched, it disintegrates, leaving only soot on the hand.
The starting point for the work was the question of how to move the viewer beyond the neutral role of an observer that often emerges in an exhibition space. Because of the work’s sensitivity, the viewer’s mere presence already affected it: the movement of air caused the ash to slowly disperse into the space. This change caught visitors’ attention and drew them closer, eventually prompting them to consider touching the work.
Soot became an important turning point in my practice. It was the first time I observed that the viewer could affect a work simply by being present, without making direct contact with it. This experience later became one of the starting points for my work on the viewer’s role and participation, as well as for my doctoral research.