Abraham Cruzvillegas Artist's Talk, Tate Modern

The Tate Modern Turbine Hall is undoubtedly one of the most iconic spaces in modern art. Previous years have seen installations by the likes of Ai Weiwei, Olafur Eliasson, and Louise Bourgeois. In 2015, Mexican artist Abraham Cruzvillegas brought Empty Lot to the vast hangar where it will remain until March of this year.

The first Hyundai Commission, Cruzvillegas’ installation takes the form of a decidedly high concept allotment. Comprising 240 raised beds, filled with soil from different areas of London, it embraces uncertainty; nothing is planted, and anything that grows is the result of pure chance. In this way it becomes a reflection of the city in all its unpredictability.

Cruzvillegas has long been interested in what he terms autoconstrucción: a kind of improvisational practice, inspired by the way in which his parents constructed their home from the material to hand. Empty Lot, which is itself assembled from found material and which is evidently concerned with spontaneity, continues to explore this idea.

On February 1, Cruzvillegas is to talk at the Turbine Hall: a fascinating opportunity to hear from this most exciting of artists.