Author Description

A leading figure among the Chinese artists of his generation, Ai Weiwei creates art that transcends East/West cultural dualities and focuses on fundamental artistic, cultural, and social questions. Published in conjunction with the first North American survey of this celebrated and provocative artist's career, this volume offers a valuable introduction to the full spectrum of Ai Weiwei's work--from photographs and sculpture to documentation of several of his most well-known projects, including his collaboration with Herzog & de Meuron on the "bird's nest" stadium for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. More recent works, several made specifically for this tour, address his ongoing investigation of the aftermath of the Sichuan earthquake, as well as his responses to his detention and continual surveillance by Chinese authorities. The book contains essays by exhibition curator Mami Kataoka, art historian Charles Merewether, and an interview between the Hirshhorn's chief curator Kerry Brougher and the artist.