WEIWEI: AI WEIWEI

One of Chinas most controversial artists, Ai Weiwei is also one of the worlds most prominent critics of the Chinese government. A critic of Chinas handling of such matters as the 2008 Olympic Games, and the tragedy of the 2008 earthquake, Ai Weiwei brings questions about tradition, history, modernity, and change to his works of sculpture, architecture, photography and his blog texts. This attractive volume includes images of Ai Weiweis acclaimed Fairytale installation for the 2007 Documenta in Kassel, Germany, as well as illustrations of his furniture and woodwork, teapots and vases, video stills and his recent works for the exhibition at the Haus der Kunst in Munich. These include Remembering, an installation at the front façade at the Haus der Kunst with backpacks, which commemorates the Sichuan Earthquake and the thousands of children who died in their schools then. Other works are Soft Ground and Rooted Upon. In addition to illustrations of Ai Weiweis three-dimensional work, there are numerous photographs, images of installations in situ, and blog entries and poems by the artist. Readers will find much to appreciate in this unique collection by an artist who lives and creates with truthful integrity.