Ai Weiwei: Freedom, Detention, and the Politics of Art
The Jeu de Paume in Paris presents Ai Weiwei: Entrelacs, the artist's first major French exhibition, running until April 29. Focusing on photography and video, the show explores the work of an artist who was detained by Chinese authorities on April 3, 2011, released on bail on June 22, 2011, and remains banned from leaving China. In an interview with Heinz-Norbert Jocks, Ai Weiwei discusses his fragmented practice, his late embrace of art as a primary medium around 2005 after a Bern Kunstmuseum exhibition, and his obsession with the internet since 2005 as a tool for emancipation. He rejects the label 'political artist,' arguing that caring about a missing colleague is political. He describes his 81-day detention as an experience of 'time as a border' and reflects on how authoritarian power fears free communication. Ai Weiwei also addresses a nude photograph posted online, calling it a 'celebration of the body' and free communication, not pornography. He receives constant harassing phone calls, likely state-orchestrated, and sees his fame as a platform to give voice to the oppressed, not for personal gain.
Key facts
- Jeu de Paume in Paris hosts Ai Weiwei: Entrelacs until April 29.
- Ai Weiwei was detained on April 3, 2011 and released on bail on June 22, 2011.
- Ai Weiwei remains banned from leaving China.
- The exhibition focuses on photography and video.
- Ai Weiwei considers himself an artist because all his activities relate to expression or communication.
- He became fully devoted to art after a 2005 exhibition at Kunstmuseum Bern.
- He has been obsessed with the internet since 2005, using it for a blog and connecting with strangers.
- He rejects the label 'political artist' and calls it a strange concept.
- He was imprisoned for 81 days and experienced 'time as a border'.
- He posted a nude photograph online as a celebration of free communication and the body.
- He receives constant harassing phone calls, likely from state agents.
- He believes fame should be used to give voice to the oppressed.
- The interview was conducted by Heinz-Norbert Jocks, correspondent for Kunstforum International.
- The interview was translated from German by Stéphane Roth.
Entities
Artists
- Ai Weiwei
Institutions
- Galerie nationale du Jeu de Paume
- Kunstmuseum Bern
- Parsons School of Design
- Kunstforum International
Locations
- Paris
- France
- China
- Beijing
- United States
- Bern
- Switzerland
- Africa
- Middle East
- Europe
- New York
Sources
- artpress —