Ai Weiwei (Phaidon Contemporary Artists Series) - Softcover

Karen Smith; Hans Ulrich Obrist; Bernard Fibicher; Ai Weiwei

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0714848891 ISBN 13: 9780714848891

Publisher: Phaidon Press, 2009

Synopsis

The first comprehensive monograph on this key figure in China's burgeoning art scene. Often working with ancient materials - beams from destroyed temples, Han dynasty urns - Ai Weiwei (b.1957) creates ingenious sculptures that break new artistic ground while commenting on the rapid transformation of contemporary China. Ai Weiwei's work is consistently innovative and unmistakably original, ranging from his sculptures and photographs to his numerous architectural commissions, and recalls the work of his artistic forebears Marcel Duchamp, Joseph Beuys and Andy Warhol. A towering figure whose influence can be seen in the multiplicity of his roles: not just an artist, designer and architect, but also curator, publisher, web blogger and cultural compass for an entire generation of Beijing artists.

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

Recent work of one of China's most important and outspoken contemporary artists is featured in this book. One of China's most controversial artists, Ai Weiwei is also one of the world's most prominent critics of the Chinese government.

About the Author:

Karen Smith is a curator and writer based in Beijing. Hans Ulrich Obrist is Co-Director of Exhibitions and Programmes and Director of International Projects at the Serpentine Gallery, London. Bernard Fibicher is Director of the Musee Cantonal des Beaux Art in Lausanne.

About this edition

• Publisher: Phaidon Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0714848891
• ISBN 13: 9780714848891
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160
• Editor: Craig Garrett, Michele Robecchi