Ai Weiwei & China

Ai Weiwei is a conceptual artist.

Conceptual Art: art that places more of an emphasis on an
idea (concept) than on traditional aesthetic qualities (visual
appeal).

“In conceptual art the idea or concept

is the most important aspect of the work.”
-Sol LeWitt

"Being an artist is more of a mindset, a way of seeing

things; it is no longer so much about producing
something." -Ai Weiwei
Ai Weiwei’s art functions as a form
of resistance and activism.

Through his work, Ai addresses some of the social,

political, and economic injustices that exist under
oppressive governmental rule in China.
Ai Weiwei was born in 1957 in Beijing, China.
 China’s Government
• China is a communist state, established in
1949 by Chairman Mao Zedong.
• The government was created after more than
20 years of national and international wars
and control by other countries (e.g., U.S., U.K.,
France, Japan)
 Early Influences
Ai Weiwei’s father, Ai Qing, was a poet.
In 1958, when Ai Weiwei was 1, his father was sent to a
labor camp for his criticism of the Chinese government.
In 1978, Ai enrolled in the
Beijing Film Academy.
 Ai lived in New York from 1981-1993, creating art and
studying at Parsons School of Design and the Art Students
League of New York. During this time, Ai took over 10,000
photographs documenting his experiences.
Ai returned to China in 1993 and has worked as
an artist, architect, filmmaker, and activist in
China ever since.
China’s Government
• Since the establishment
of the People’s Republic
of China, there has been
only one governing party
– the Chinese Communist
Party, or CCP.
• There are eight smaller
parties, but they are
controlled by the CCP and
have no power
• There are no substantial
political opposition
groups
 China’s Government
• The government continues to
be an authoritarian one-party
system
• While there is a head of state
(Xi Jinping), a committee of
seven rules the country
• The CCP’s military, The People’s
Liberation Army, is a powerful
force
• The government restricts
freedom of expression, press,
association, and religion China’s current leader, Xi Jinping
• It uses repressive policies in
ethnic minority areas
 China’s Economy
• Even though the
government remains
authoritarian in nature, the
economy has been
gradually adding features of
capitalism.
• Over the years, the
economy has moved from a
centrally planned system to
a more market-oriented
system.
• Fastest-growing industries
include electrical and other
machinery, data processing
equipment, apparel, and
textiles.
 China’s Economy
• In 2012, China was the second-largest
economy in the world (after the U.S.).
• Still, income per capita is below the world
average.
 China’s Economy
• The government is facing challenges
sustaining adequate job growth and housing
for migrants moving to urban areas.
• Another challenge is managing and lessening
social strife related to the economy’s rapid
transformation.
 National Issues in China
• Chinese citizens protest • Internet users aggressively
repressive government push censorship
practices boundaries, calling for
– Approx. 250-500 protests political reform
are held every day,
involving 10 to 10,000
people
 Ai has protested
censorship
through his art,
leading to police
beatings and
imprisonment.

Video-A Conversation with Ai Weiwei

Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn (1995)

Video-Ai Weiwei-Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn

Coca-Cola Vase (1994)
Colored Vases (2006)
 The Bird’s Nest,
Beijing National Stadium,
2008 Summer Olympics
 Great Sichuan Earthquake
• In 2008, an earthquake with a
magnitude of 8.0 occurred in the
Sichuan Province at 2:28 pm.
• Almost 80% of the buildings
were destroyed and over 7,000
schools collapsed.
• 69,197 were confirmed dead and
374,176 injured, with 18,222
listed as missing.
• The earthquake left about
4.8 million people homeless,
although the number could be as
high as 11 million.
Remembering (2009)
Earthquake in Sichuan (2008-2010)
Sunflower Seeds (2010)
Surveillance Camera (2010)
 Ai Weiwei and Social Media:
"The Internet is uncontrollable. And if the
Internet is uncontrollable, freedom will win.
It’s as simple as that." –Ai Weiwei
 Ai Weiwei

PBS News Hour Video-Art, China and Censorship According to Ai Weiwei