[View] Ai Weiwei solo exhibition - Mori Art Museum
AI WEIWEI'S SOLO EXHIBITION AT THE MORI ART MUSEUM
text and image source: Mori Art Museum website
About the Exhibition
Ai Weiwei is one of contemporary China's most exciting creators, with a range of activities including everything from art and architecture to design, publishing, and curating. In the last few years, Ai's international reputation has grown dramatically through a series of highly acclaimed projects, including his contribution to Documenta 12 in 2007, and a collaboration with architects Herzog & de Meuron on the "Bird's Nest" Olympic Stadium for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
"Ai Weiwei: According to What?" is one of the largest solo shows for the artist ever held, featuring 26 works made since the 1990s, including 6 created specifically for this exhibition. The diverse works – ranging from sculptures and photographs to video and site specific installations – are organized into three sections: "Fundamental Forms and Volumes," "Structure and Craftsmanship" and "Reforming and Inheriting Tradition." In addition, Ai’s architectural projects since 1999, his publication projects and the photograph works he took while he was living in New York are presented in a special "archival" room. Ai’s practice is interdisciplinary and transcends artistic genres in a classic sense, but when viewed in its entirety it gives us unique insights into the cultural, historical, and societal contexts from which it emerged. This in turn prompts questions in the viewer: What exists? And more importantly, according to what does it exist? From what context did we emerge, and to where are we headed now?
Despite being based in a country that is experiencing one of the most rapid periods of economic and social changes ever seen, Ai Weiwei manages in his works to link the past with the present and the individual with the world. This exhibition provides the opportunity to experience the unique perspectives of this evocative creator.
Ai Weiwei’s Profile
Ai Weiwei was born in Beijing in 1957 as the son of Ai Qing, one of modern China’s most renowned poets. He entered the Beijing Film Academy in 1978. In 1979 and in 1981 he took part in exhibitions held by the avant-garde group "Xingxing (The Stars)." Soon afterwards Ai moved to the U.S.A., returning to China in 1993. Since his return Ai has worked in publishing and also been active in his support of young Chinese artists through his China Art Archive & Warehouse (CAAW). In 2000 he was one of the curators of the influential exhibition "Fuck Off." Since designing his own residence and studio in 1999, Ai has been involved in over 70 architectural and urban planning projects. His recent exhibitions include the Venice Biennale 2008, 2008 Liverpool Biennial, Documenta 12 (Kassel, 2007), and "Mahjong: Contemporary Chinese Art from the Sigg Collection" (touring since 2006).
Ai Weiwei
© FAKE Studio
Find out more about Ai Weiwei in a marathon talk with exciting guests!
Session: 8-hour Sunday Talk Marathon – Ai Weiwei x Art x Architecture
Ai Weiwei's activities encompass the creative fields of art, architecture, editorial and design. For this special eight-hour talk marathon, a select group of art and architecture specialists – each with a fascinating creative relationship or something else in common with Ai – will sit down with him to discuss his work from various perspectives, including materials, techniques, space, history, culture and context.
Date: 12:00-20:00 Sunday, 26 July 2009 (Re-entry permitted)
Venue: Tower Hall, Academyhills 49, Mori Tower 49F
Organizers: Mori Art Museum, Academyhills
* See the Public Program page for ticketing information.
[Session Schedule]
12:00 Start Moderator: Kataoka Mami (Chief Curator, Mori Art Museum)
12:05 Talk1: Uli Sigg (collector)
13:00 Talk2: Kuma Kengo (architect)
14:45 Talk3: Philip Tinari (writer, curator)
15:45 Talk4: Charles Merewether (art historian, writer, curator)
17:30 Talk5: Ban Shigeru (architect)
18:30 Talk6: Sugimoto Hiroshi (artist)
20:00 Closed
* Question and answer session and breaks are scheduled.
* Speakers may change without prior notice.
EXHIBITION MOUNTING
26 Main works from since year 2000 will be presented in the show.
Snake installation
26 Main works from since year 2000 will be presented in the show.
Snake installation
"Kippe" 2006 |
iron wood (Tieli wood) from dismantled temples of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and iron parallel bar 182 x 286 x 104 cm |
Cat House
"Ton of Tea" / " Tea Cube" 2007 |
"Ton of Tea": 1 ton of compressed tea and wooden base 100 x 100 x 100 cm "Tea Cube": compressed tea and wooden base 50 x 50 x 50 cm |
Empty scene
Crystal light
Fragments
Crystal light
Fragments
Bird's nest
"Colored Vases" 2006 |
neolithic vases (5000 - 3000 BC) and paint installation size: 50 x 200 cm in different sizes H ca. 9 -31 cm |
Moon
"Table with three legs" 1998 |
Qing dynasty table (1644 - 1911) 91 x 102 x 172 cm |
"Bowl of Pearls" 2006 |
colored porcelain / clear water pearls each 43, Ø 100 cm |
Bicycles
Architectural projects
"Fairytale" 2007 |
Project for Documenta 12, Kassel,Germany, 2007 Link: Fairytale Products |
Architectural projects