Guide Note

Ai Weiwei is a Chinese artist. He produces traditional, performance and conceptual art. He is also educated in film-making and works as an architectural designer.

Fast Facts

Born: 1957 in Beijing, China
Son of the exiled Chinese poet, Ai Qing
Grew up in a labor camp with his father
Educated at the Beijing Film Academy and New York City's Parsons School of Design
Worked with Swiss designers Herzog and de Meuron to design the Beijing National Stadium

Olympic Bombast

Ai Weiwei has distanced himself from his work on the Beijing National Stadium. He is openly critical of the Chinese government's preparations for the 2008 Olympics. Ai alleges that its spirit of openness and reform is merely a facade to improve the country's international image.¹

Quotes

"The government wants to use [the 2008 Olympics] to celebrate itself and its policy of opening up China. But there isn't anything to celebrate. The political system is incapable of handling economic and social change."² -Ai Weiwei

Categories

News | China | Artists | Beijing Olympics

View Note History

Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei News and Information

Official Site: Aiweiwei.com
Wikipedia: Ai Weiei
Spiegel Online: "The Olympics Are a Propaganda Show" (January 29, 2008)
- "The government wants to use these games to celebrate itself and its policy of opening up China. But there isn't anything to celebrate. The political system is incapable of handling economic and social change. Now the system that caused these problems in the first place is struggling to remain in power. And who pays the price? Every individual in this society."
The Art Newspaper: "Ai Weiwei’s Spider’s Web for Liverpool" (November 29, 2007)
CNN: "Chinese Architect Slams Olympic 'Pretend Smile'" (August 13, 2007)
The Guardian: "Olympic Artist Attacks China's Pomp and Propaganda" (August 9, 2007)
Archinet: "Ai Weiwei : Fragments, Voids, Sections and Rings" (December 5, 2006)
YouTube: Stadium Designer Blasts China Olympics (Time: 02:17)

Ai Weiwei Blogs and Commentaries

Shanghaiist: Ai Weiwei Hates His Bird's Nest" (August 18, 2007)
New York Times: "An Exile Ascends China's Big Stage" (October 28, 2004)
New York Times: "Art In Review: Ai Weiwei" (October 1, 2004)

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