Ai Weiwei

New York. 1983-1993

Ai Weiwei.
In front of Duchamp’s work, Museum of Modern Art. 1987.
Digital print.
Courtesy artist and Three Shadows Photography Art Centre

Ai Weiwei.
Backstage at the Met. 8th Street Subway Station. 1987.
Digital print.
© Ai Weiwei.
Courtesy Three Shadows Photography Art Centre

Ai Weiwei.
Self-Portrait. 1987.
Digital print.
Courtesy artist and Three Shadows Photography Art Centre

Ai Weiwei.
Setting up cards. Atlantic City. 1993.
Digital print.
Courtesy artist and Three Shadows Photography Art Centre

Ai Weiwei.
Mirror. 1987.
Digital print.
Courtesy artist and Three Shadows Photography Art Centre

Ai Weiwei.
Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 1983. Digital print.
Courtesy artist and Three Shadows Photography Art Centre

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Ai Weiwei. In front of Duchamp’s work, Museum of Modern Art. 1987. Digital print. Courtesy artist and Three Shadows Photography Art Centre

Ai Weiwei. Backstage at the Met. 8th Street Subway Station. 1987. Digital print. © Ai Weiwei. Courtesy Three Shadows Photography Art Centre

Ai Weiwei. Self-Portrait. 1987. Digital print. Courtesy artist and Three Shadows Photography Art Centre

Ai Weiwei. Setting up cards. Atlantic City. 1993. Digital print. Courtesy artist and Three Shadows Photography Art Centre

Ai Weiwei. Mirror. 1987. Digital print. Courtesy artist and Three Shadows Photography Art Centre

Ai Weiwei. Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 1983. Digital print. Courtesy artist and Three Shadows Photography Art Centre

Moscow, 20.04.2012—31.05.2012

exhibition is over

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Presented by Three Shadow Art Gallery, Beijing, with the participation of Martin-Gropius-Bau, Berlin

The exhibition of Ai Weiwei ‘New York. 1983—1993’ presents his shots from a collection of over 10,000 photographs that capture the history, culture, and atmosphere of 1980s New York from his unique perspective on art and society.

Details

Presented by Three Shadow Art Gallery, Beijing, with the participation of Martin-Gropius-Bau, Berlin

There are photographs of East Village poetry readings, riots in Tompkins Square Park, drag queens from Wigstock, and visits by well-known artists and writers from China. The photographs not only document the changes of an era, but also reveal the world as seen through Ai Weiwei’s eyes and trace the beginnings of his conceptual art practice.

An important Chinese contemporary artist, Ai Weiwei is well known for his sculptures, installations, and architecture. Yet photography also plays an important role in his art practice. He has a distinct understanding of photography and has created some of his most iconic artworks with photographs.

The New York photographs are records of his life and work, which carry the stamp of that time. They are not a perfect chronicle of Ai Weiwei’s life, but rather scenes taken from his surroundings that reveal his thoughts and attitudes at the moment. The photographs are a valuable piece of visual history for both him personally and contemporary art.