Ai Weiwei
dal 1/3/2008 al 22/11/2008
Segnalato da
1/3/2008
Ai Weiwei
Groninger Museum, Groningen
The work of the chinese artist consists of performances, installations and architecture. His fascination for ceramics is the central theme on this exhibition. Ceramic art is a medium that permeates his whole oeuvre and is strongly connected to Chinese cultural identity.
2 March to 23 November 2008From 2 March to 23 November 2008, the Groninger Museum
will present a solo exhibition of the work of Ai Weiwei (1957), one of the most
important Chinese artists of the present time. Recently, he was involved in the
design of the Olympic Stadium in Beijing. This solo exhibition represents his debut
in the Groninger Museum.
The work of Ai Weiwei consists of performances, installations and architecture.
From 1978 onward, Ai Weiwei manifested himself in the Beijing art world as a member
of the artists association called Xingxing (the Stars). When they disbanded in 1983,
he settled in New York. In 1993 he returned to Beijing, and from that moment onward
he made use traditional Chinese elements in his work, exploring the mechanisms of
political and national symbolism in a provoking manner. For one of his works he
allowed an urn from the Han dynasty to fall to the ground and break. Other objects
of national pride also tumbled from his hands. He painted ancient vases with
the Coca Cola logo, or coated them in bright colours. He subsequently presented them
as cheap counterfeits.
In 1997 he founded the China Arts Archives and Warehouse, which offers a platform to
young and experimental artists.
His fascination for ceramics is the central theme on this occasion. Ceramic art is a
medium that permeates his whole oeuvre and is strongly connected to Chinese cultural
identity. One of his most recent works, Pillars, is on display in
the Coop Himmelb(l)au Pavilion. This work consists of a forest of man-sized vases
amongst which visitors can stroll.
Groninger Museum
Museumeiland 1 - Groningen