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

‘ton of tea’ 2006 compressed tea 100x100x100cm © FAKE studio

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

‘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.

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

‘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’.

‘ai weiwei: according to what?’ will be shown from december 4th, 2013 – march 16th, 2014 at the pérez art museum miami (pamm), the opening of which will coincidence with art basel miami beach 2013.  

‘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