Ai Weiwei: Circle of Animals
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Author Description
The Chinese artist Ai Weiwei (b. Beijing 1957; lives and works in Beijing) spent the years from 1983 to 1993 in New York. During this time, he took more than 10,000 black-and-white photographs of life in the American metropolis; when he returned to China, the pictures, mostly negatives, were in his luggage. After leaving them untouched for years, Ai made a selection of 226 photographs that were developed and shown at the Three Shadows Art Centre, Beijing, in 2010. These pictures are now on display at the Martin-Gropius-Bau, Berlin, the first time they are shown in Germany; they are also presented in this illustrated book. For the young Ai Weiwei--today China's most famous contemporary artist--his long stay in the United States was a period that shaped his style and set the stage for his future career as an artist. He lived in a tiny apartment in New York's East Village and was an active member of the neighborhood's arts scene. In the 1980s, New York also promised Chinese artists freedo
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
The book documents Ai Weiwei's formative years in New York through his photographic lens. The collection presents 226 black-and-white photographs taken by the artist between 1983 and 1993 during his decade-long stay in New York City. These images capture his experiences living in the East Village and engaging with the local arts scene, offering a visual record of a period that significantly shaped his artistic development and future career. The book serves as a companion to an exhibition of these photographs, marking their first presentation in Germany.
THE SCOPE MAP
- A selection of 226 black-and-white photographs taken by Ai Weiwei.
- Photographs captured during Ai Weiwei's residency in New York City from 1983 to 1993.
- Images depict life in New York's East Village and the artist's immersion in the arts scene.
- The book accompanies an exhibition of these photographs at the Martin-Gropius-Bau, Berlin.
- Provides insight into the formative years of a prominent contemporary Chinese artist.
- Focuses on the period that shaped Ai Weiwei's artistic style and career trajectory.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
This illustrated book presents a significant body of photographic work by Ai Weiwei, focusing on his formative years in New York. The collection offers a rare glimpse into the artist's personal experiences and the environment that influenced his development. The accompanying exhibition in Berlin highlights the international recognition of his early work. The book serves as both a historical document and an artistic statement, showcasing the roots of one of China's most famous contemporary artists.
Page Count:
219
Publication Date:
2011-01-01
Publisher:
Prestel
ISBN-10:
3942405504
ISBN-13:
9783942405508
Art
Biography
Photography
Non-Fiction
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