Introduction
Contemporary art has received much critique from ordinary people who sometimes see it on social media. The main argument in this dissatisfaction is that modern art is too polarized or makes little sense while bearing no artistic beauty. However, it can be said that art has always been a device for reflecting on politics and expressing someone’s cultural values or rioting against the establishment. From this point of view, art still has its significance in the modern world; artists use new forms to express their ideas that do not comply with conventional demands for it. As such, Ai Weiwei is an exciting artist who could benefit our institution if he happens to visit it.
Main body
Personally, I find Ai Weiwei’s personality and artistic expression impactful and valuable. Since the artist comes from China, he has an authentic view of that country from the inside and can bring his knowledge into exquisite form. Weiwei has always considered the nowadays regiment in the country oppressive and the actions of its officials inhumane. The meaning of human rights and the destiny of the Chinese people are of primary significance for the artist, so many of his works reflect the issues that Weiwei recognizes and wants to eliminate. I think that acting against the regiment that oppresses your native country in a peaceful way of artistic expression is courageous and deserves respect.
One of the most famous artworks of Ai Weiwei concerns the matters of individuality and the masses. Namely, “Sunflower Seeds” consists of numerous ceramic seeds brought together for the installation. Each element was created individually by craftsmen from China, where porcelain production has always been a traditional craft (Tate, n.d.). The work represents the Chinese people who are very similar to each other and yet are unique individuals that, in their masses, have great power. Moreover, Weiwei criticizes the modern approach of the Chinese market that abandoned the traditional individual crafts of decent goods to embrace the mass production of items for Western consumers. Thus, the work is not only the result of a laborious creation process but an expression of a valuable social idea of a person who cares about his people.
The artworks of Ai Weiwei, especially “Sunflower Seeds,” are somewhat related to the Gutai artists’ group that can be viewed as a predecessor to modern Asian conceptual art. Since the group concentrated on performance and non-conventual expression of ideas, it corresponds to Weiwei’s desire to represent his thoughts through the use of material objects as symbols. Thus, the ancestry of Gutai might have served as a material inspiration for modern Asian artists, including Weiwei.
Meeting with such an exciting personality and contemporary artist might be beneficial for the students of our institution. Since the artist is concerned about the same matters as many young people nowadays, it might be useful to listen to his experienced view on being an activist in a country with a suppressive regiment. Moreover, interacting with a person of a different mentality can bring more cultural knowledge to the people raised in a democratic society.
Conclusion
To conclude, Weiwei is an impressive artist with an unconventional style of expression, which has distinguished views on the issues of his country. Probably, he can explain the reasons for being patriotic and still critical to one’s own country. Moreover, the unusual representation of his criticism is a valuable insight into peaceful protesting, which is so significant for a society where personal freedom is considered the most precious right of all humans.
Reference List
Tate. (n.d.). ‘Sunflower seeds’, Ai Weiwei, 2010. Web.