The first monograph on the key figure in Chinese fast-growing art scene.

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.

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.

Lisson Gallery is proud to present a major exhibition of work by Ai Weiwei. From 13 May to 16 July 2011 Ai Weiwei will present a show of sculptural and video works at Lisson Gallery. This will be a chance to view a number of key works by the artist, one of the most significant cultural figures of his generation, both in China and internationally.

The quotable Ai Weiwei This collection of quotes demonstrates the elegant simplicity of Ai Weiwei's thoughts on key aspects of his art, politics, and life. A master at communicating powerful ideas in astonishingly few words, Ai Weiwei is known for his innovative use of social media to disseminate his views. The short quotations presented here have been carefully selected from articles, tweets, and interviews given by this acclaimed Chinese artist and activist. The book is organized into six categories: freedom of expression; art and activism; government, power, and moral choices; the digital world; history, the historical moment, and the future; and personal reflections. Together, these quotes span some of the most revealing moments of Ai Weiwei's eventful career—from his risky investigation into student deaths in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake to his arbitrary arrest in 2011—providing a window into the mind of one of the world's most electrifying and courageous contemporary artists. Select Quotes from the Book: On Freedom of Expression "Say what you need to say plainly, and then take responsibility for it." "A small act is worth a million thoughts." "Liberty is about our rights to question everything." On Art and Activism "Everything is art. Everything is politics." "The art always wins. Anything can happen to me, but the art will stay." "Life is art. Art is life. I never separate it. I don't feel that much anger. I equally have a lot of joy." On Government, Power, and Making Moral Choice "Once you've tasted freedom, it stays in your heart and no one can take it. Then, you can be more powerful than a whole country." "I feel powerless all the time, but I regain my energy by making a very small difference that won't cost me much." "Tips on surviving the regime: Respect yourself and speak for others. Do one small thing every day to prove the existence of justice." On the Digital World "Only with the Internet can a peasant I have never met hear my voice and I can learn what's on his mind. A fairy tale has come true." "The Internet is uncontrollable. And if the Internet is uncontrollable, freedom will win. It's as simple as that." "The Internet is the best thing that could have happened to China." On History, the Historical Moment, and the Future "If a nation cannot face its past, it has no future." "We need to get out of the old language." "The world is a sphere, there is no East or West." Personal Reflection "I've never planned any part of my career—except being an artist. And I was pushed into that corner because I thought being an artist was the only way to have a little freedom." "Anyone fighting for freedom does not want to totally lose their freedom." "Expressing oneself is like a drug. I'm so addicted to it."

Manifestos and immodest proposals from China's most famous artist and activist, culled from his popular blog, shut down by Chinese authorities in 2009. In 2006, even though he could barely type, China's most famous artist started blogging. For more than three years, Ai Weiwei turned out a steady stream of scathing social commentary, criticism of government policy, thoughts on art and architecture, and autobiographical writings. He wrote about the Sichuan earthquake (and posted a list of the schoolchildren who died because of the government's “tofu-dregs engineering”), reminisced about Andy Warhol and the East Village art scene, described the irony of being investigated for “fraud” by the Ministry of Public Security, made a modest proposal for tax collection. Then, on June 1, 2009, Chinese authorities shut down the blog. This book offers a collection of Ai's notorious online writings translated into English—the most complete, public documentation of the original Chinese blog available in any language. The New York Times called Ai “a figure of Warholian celebrity.” He is a leading figure on the international art scene, a regular in museums and biennials, but in China he is a manifold and controversial presence: artist, architect, curator, social critic, justice-seeker. He was a consultant on the design of the famous “Bird's Nest” stadium but called for an Olympic boycott; he received a Chinese Contemporary Art “lifetime achievement award” in 2008 but was beaten by the police in connection with his “citizen investigation” of earthquake casualties in 2009. Ai Weiwei's Blog documents Ai's passion, his genius, his hubris, his righteous anger, and his vision for China.

Surveys the career of twentieth-century Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, and includes photographs of his sculptures and installations.