ai weiwei: according to what? exhibition at mori art museum, tokyo

ai weiwei: according to what? exhibition
mori art museum, tokyo, japan
on now until november 8th, 2009


'ton of tea' 2006
compressed tea
100x100x100cm
© FAKE studio

'ai weiwei: according to what?' at the mori art museum, is one of the largest solo shows for the
chinese artist, featuring 26 of his works made since the 1990s, including six which have been
made specifically for this exhibition.

the title of the exhibition is derived from a painting by jasper johns, whose work was the catalyst
for ai weiwei's entry into the contemporary art world. the exhibition is organized into three sections:
'fundamental forms and volumes', 'structure and craftsmanship' and 'reforming and inheriting tradition',
exploring the connections between ai's work and its artistic, cultural and historical backgrounds.

'fundamental forms and volumes' includes a series of cubic and polyhedral forms reminiscent of
minimal art and a new installation consisting of blocks of tea. a video displaying the city of beijing
as though they were closed-circuit television cameras is also shown. the simple but minutely carved
'maps' and 'furniture' series made since 1997, along with 'moon chest', a project which straddles art,
architecture and design are exhibited as part of 'structure and craftsmanship'. finally,
'reforming and inheriting tradition', contains a collection of works which are based on ceramics
from the neolithic period and han and tang dynasties, alongside an installation consisting
of reassembled parts from the qing dynasty architecture. in addition, the exhibition includes
a documentary video of 'fairytale' and new interpretations of 'chandelier' and snake ceiling'.


'cubic meter table' 2006
huali wood 13 pieces
each 100x100x100cm
© FAKE studio


'table with three legs' 2006
table from the late ming or early qing dynasty (1368 - 1911)
116x116x116cm
© FAKE studio


'bowl of pearls' 2006
porcelain, freshwater pearls
each h.43cm, o100cm
© FAKE studio


'map of china' 2004
tieli wood from dismantled temples of the qing dynasty (1644-1911)
h.51cm, o200cm
© FAKE studio


'coca cola vase' 1997
vase from the tang dynasty (618-907) and paint
24cm, o18cm
© FAKE studio


'snake ceiling' 2009
backpacks
h.40 x d.900cm
mori art museum 'ai weiwei: according to what?'
photo: watanabe osamu
photo courtesy: mori art museum


'chandelier' 2009
glass crystals, lights, metal
600x450x225cm
mori art museum 'ai weiwei: according to what?'
photo: watanabe osamu
photo courtesy: mori art museum


mori art museum 'ai weiwei: according to what?'
photo: watanabe osamu
photo courtesy: mori art museum


mori art museum 'ai weiwei: according to what?'
photo: watanabe osamu
photo courtesy: mori art museum


mori art museum 'ai weiwei: according to what?'
photo: watanabe osamu
photo courtesy: mori art museum