I found the documentary to be very interesting. I think that the movie shed light on the the relationship between emotion and political activism. The most impact moment to me was when he created the "Sunflower Seeds" Project and said that how he was using art to express the want for democracy. Therefore, he is using art as a way to express his attitude toward the Chinese government. I think emotion helps the process of activism because it encourages individuals to stand up against authority and express their hopes. It is the strong desire to uncover truth that drives Wei Wei to find out the actual number of student deaths during the Sichuang earthquake; It is the strong desire to gain social justice that makes Wei Wei to file a lawsuit the Chengdu police who hit him; It is the strong desire to save the country that drives Wei Wei to challenge the government despite threats and 81 day disapperance. If political activism is driven by courage and guts, then emotion is the strongest driven force that inspired inviduals to take action and challenge the authority. Ai Wei Wei's story showed a there is a close relationship between emotion and politcal activism.
The unique artistic style of Ai Wei Wei are what really caught my attention in the documentary. His piece using the children's backpacks to serve as a memorial for the students killed during the earthquakes really stood out to me because it really caused people to think about the children that died. The emotion that Ai Wei Wei puts into his art incites political activism due to the messages that he puts into the art. By defacing ancient pottery and artifacts Ai Wei Wei demonstrates embracing old traditions while moving forward at the same time. The emotion that he incorporates in to his art and message causes others to question the authority of government which shows how art can influence changes in the human sciences.
I agree with Joseph's comment about Ai Weiwie's unique art style. His controversial themes seem to be the most interesting style of art to me. The controversy behind his art allows him to gain exposure to further support his political activism. Rather than simply writing an essay to the government, Ai Weiwei stands out with his creativity in expressing his discontent. By dropping ancient Han dynasty urns, for example, Ai Weiwei takes a defiant stand and symbolizes the need to break free from the old traditions of China in a more powerful way.
The aspect of the documentary that I found most interesting was the fact that Ai Wei Wei never really discussed his art in depth. Rather, other people provided their own interpretations. I don't think that Wei Wei's intent was far off from any of these ideas, but they don't have to be exactly the same. Art is a means of expression that is not constrained by words. Therefore, everyone added their own. In this concept lies art's capability to promote personal understanding. All too often, people hide behind concepts and movements that they do not fully understand. This is why art is an effective method of social and political activism; it inspires originality. Sometimes, deviant thinking can be a strong binder.
I personally find Ai Wei Wei to be an inspiration to not only myself, but to all those who are fighting injustice around the world. His courageousness in standing up to the oppressive Chinese government is admirable especially in how he seeks to do this in peaceful ways such as through his art and attempting to work through the flawed legal system. His efforts in commemorating all those children who died in the school earthquakes is especially powerful. I also find how his sunflower seeds display is so simple, but represents that of something so much larger. His artworks show a new movement in Chinese popular culture, which in effect reflects the desire for change in China as well.
My favorite piece of art that Ai Wei Wei did was the video of several people cursing out China, including himself. This showed other people felt the same about the government as him. In creating his art, he utilizes emotion and faith. His emotional drive to let others know what the government hides aligns with what he believes in. He wants to express himself through art, and does not allow other people deter him. His actions also has an effect in history, by uncovering details the government is withholding, like the number of people who died in the Sichuang earthquake, he sheds light on what is truly happening in China. His actions allow history to be more accurate concerning Chinese issues. Ai Wei Wei used emotion and faith to change art and history in China.
I feel that Ai Wei Wei's Art is special because it is unique through its philosophical implications which he embeds through minimal complication and direct simplicity; his art conveys so many messages and meanings to all sorts of people through one image capturing all these various sentiments and implications in a way in which everyone can understand and interpret in one way or another. It is not restricted to certain views, yet is not so nebulous that no one can even grasp the authors intentions like some other modern art.
I found the documentary to be very interesting. I think that the movie shed light on the the relationship between emotion and political activism. The most impact moment to me was when he created the "Sunflower Seeds" Project and said that how he was using art to express the want for democracy. Therefore, he is using art as a way to express his attitude toward the Chinese government. I think emotion helps the process of activism because it encourages individuals to stand up against authority and express their hopes. It is the strong desire to uncover truth that drives Wei Wei to find out the actual number of student deaths during the Sichuang earthquake; It is the strong desire to gain social justice that makes Wei Wei to file a lawsuit the Chengdu police who hit him; It is the strong desire to save the country that drives Wei Wei to challenge the government despite threats and 81 day disapperance. If political activism is driven by courage and guts, then emotion is the strongest driven force that inspired inviduals to take action and challenge the authority. Ai Wei Wei's story showed a there is a close relationship between emotion and politcal activism.
ReplyDeleteThe unique artistic style of Ai Wei Wei are what really caught my attention in the documentary. His piece using the children's backpacks to serve as a memorial for the students killed during the earthquakes really stood out to me because it really caused people to think about the children that died. The emotion that Ai Wei Wei puts into his art incites political activism due to the messages that he puts into the art. By defacing ancient pottery and artifacts Ai Wei Wei demonstrates embracing old traditions while moving forward at the same time. The emotion that he incorporates in to his art and message causes others to question the authority of government which shows how art can influence changes in the human sciences.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Joseph's comment about Ai Weiwie's unique art style. His controversial themes seem to be the most interesting style of art to me. The controversy behind his art allows him to gain exposure to further support his political activism. Rather than simply writing an essay to the government, Ai Weiwei stands out with his creativity in expressing his discontent. By dropping ancient Han dynasty urns, for example, Ai Weiwei takes a defiant stand and symbolizes the need to break free from the old traditions of China in a more powerful way.
ReplyDeleteThe aspect of the documentary that I found most interesting was the fact that Ai Wei Wei never really discussed his art in depth. Rather, other people provided their own interpretations. I don't think that Wei Wei's intent was far off from any of these ideas, but they don't have to be exactly the same. Art is a means of expression that is not constrained by words. Therefore, everyone added their own. In this concept lies art's capability to promote personal understanding. All too often, people hide behind concepts and movements that they do not fully understand. This is why art is an effective method of social and political activism; it inspires originality. Sometimes, deviant thinking can be a strong binder.
ReplyDeleteI personally find Ai Wei Wei to be an inspiration to not only myself, but to all those who are fighting injustice around the world. His courageousness in standing up to the oppressive Chinese government is admirable especially in how he seeks to do this in peaceful ways such as through his art and attempting to work through the flawed legal system. His efforts in commemorating all those children who died in the school earthquakes is especially powerful. I also find how his sunflower seeds display is so simple, but represents that of something so much larger. His artworks show a new movement in Chinese popular culture, which in effect reflects the desire for change in China as well.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite piece of art that Ai Wei Wei did was the video of several people cursing out China, including himself. This showed other people felt the same about the government as him. In creating his art, he utilizes emotion and faith. His emotional drive to let others know what the government hides aligns with what he believes in. He wants to express himself through art, and does not allow other people deter him. His actions also has an effect in history, by uncovering details the government is withholding, like the number of people who died in the Sichuang earthquake, he sheds light on what is truly happening in China. His actions allow history to be more accurate concerning Chinese issues. Ai Wei Wei used emotion and faith to change art and history in China.
ReplyDeleteI feel that Ai Wei Wei's Art is special because it is unique through its philosophical implications which he embeds through minimal complication and direct simplicity; his art conveys so many messages and meanings to all sorts of people through one image capturing all these various sentiments and implications in a way in which everyone can understand and interpret in one way or another. It is not restricted to certain views, yet is not so nebulous that no one can even grasp the authors intentions like some other modern art.
ReplyDelete