Ali Kazma

His oeuvre consists of documenting the ways in which human activity transforms matter and creates new forms and constitutes a sort of archive on craftsmanship. Subjects range from a depiction of the dexterity of an Istanbul butcher, to the skill of a watchmaker or taxidermist. One theme emerges: the documentation of the attention of a professional and their rhythmic gestures. His two major series, Obstructions and Resistance, explore social organisation and the value of human activity and engage the viewer with the resonant social, economic, scientific, ethical and industrial themes of our times. Kazma's work has been widely shown in prestigious institutions throughout the world, notably at the 2013 Venice Biennale, where the artist represented Turkey.

The Fondation Cartier's collection contains two films by Ali Kazma: Household Goods Factory (2008) and Studio Ceramist (2007), both of which were part of the Obstructions series. These films show the importance of human work. While Household Goods Factory documents the automated production processes in a factory that produces common commodities, Studio Ceramist provides an original and intimate perspective on the work process of ceramist Alev Ebüzziya Siesbye. By capturing her repetitive and contemplative gestures, the film depicts the quest for perfection as well as respectfully observes the accidents, frailties and inconsequence of Ebüzziya Siesbye's relationship with clay and its materiality.