Ai Weiwei : in search of humanity / edited by Dieter Buchhart, Elsy Lahner, and Klaus Albrecht Schröder ; with contributions by Dieter Buchhart [and four others].
Published on the occasion of the exhibition held at Albertina Modern, March 16-September 4, 2022--Colophon. Includes bibliographical references.
Contents:
Biography. Elsy Lahner and Melissa Lumbroso -- Ai Weiwei--In Search of Humanity / Dieter Buchhart -- Ai Weiwei--Readymade and Beyond / John Tancock -- Encountering Sorrow / Roger M. Buergel -- Works / With quotes from Ai Weiwei and texts by Elsy Lahner -- Early Works -- New York Photographs -- Beijing Photographs -- Tiananmen -- Study of Perspective -- Cultural Heritage -- Beijing -- Bicycles -- Circle of Animals -- Sichuan Earthquake -- Arrest -- Imprisonment -- Panda to Panda -- War, Flight, and Migration -- US Presidential Election -- Locust Plague -- Corona -- Ai Weiwei in Context / Elsy Lahner and Melissa Lumbroso -- Biography.
Summary:
Ai Weiwei is not only one of the most important contemporary artists; he is also an untiring activist and critic of authoritarian systems. "In Search of Humanity" presents a comprehensive overview of all phases of the artist's oeuvre and includes a number of hitherto unpublished works. The book design in the form of a block of marble makes this an unusual volume. The catalogue examines in detail the aspect of humanity and artistic responsibility in the oeuvre of Ai Weiwei. It sheds light on concepts such as surveillance, censorship, human rights, freedom of expression, human displacement, radical responsibility, the power of beauty and the truth of poetry. Numerous quotations by the artist and a timeline which positions the individual works visually within the context of the historical events that prompted them, explore the works in a plausible manner.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.