Ai Weiwei
An article questioning whether Ai Weiwei can still be classified as an artist due to his important activist involvement against the Chinese state.
Ai Weiwei has been a huge inspiration to me, not only in terms of art but also in moral and ethical beliefs. I would strongly disagree with the opinion that Weiwei is no longer a practicing artist because he still produces work which is fundamentally thought provoking and compelling. Some say that his activist work cannot be classified as art, yet it is clear that his sculptural artwork directly correlates with his fight against the Chinese state due to the issues explored within it.
Weiwei has simply come to an interesting turning point in his approach to art. He recognized a potential in activism as an art form and getting his message heard more widely and clearly. He realizes that the only way to gain support is to work socially and interact with his audience. I have no doubt in my mind that even his most political of actions, which may seem completely irrelevant to art in the mind of the majority of the public and even the art world, are done so through the intentions of an artist.
It is admittedly a complex issue. However, it is in the eyes of the artist to decide what they believe is art and attempt to convince the viewer of their belief. Our occupations, whether you wish to ignore their influence or not, can ground us in our own identity and beliefs. Our occupations become our lifestyle.
Weiwei has simply come to an interesting turning point in his approach to art. He recognized a potential in activism as an art form and getting his message heard more widely and clearly. He realizes that the only way to gain support is to work socially and interact with his audience. I have no doubt in my mind that even his most political of actions, which may seem completely irrelevant to art in the mind of the majority of the public and even the art world, are done so through the intentions of an artist.
It is admittedly a complex issue. However, it is in the eyes of the artist to decide what they believe is art and attempt to convince the viewer of their belief. Our occupations, whether you wish to ignore their influence or not, can ground us in our own identity and beliefs. Our occupations become our lifestyle.
"Everything is art. Everything is politics" - Ai Weiwei
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