When art is supposed to be about a commentary on contemporary life and a reflecting on the society we live in, it is sad that a government feels the need to restrict the voices of artists and in particular this personal statement of an artist who looks to encourage a new generation to be more aware of the corruption in the political system by utilising new media.
This recent TED talk by Ai Weiwei, who’s work Sunflower Seeds has been the current main attraction at the Tate Modern, was sneaked out of China to be broadcast to the world. He says that he is leaving a society where basic human rights, freedom of speech, freedom of access to information and individual expression in public territories have been censored. Where people have sacrificed their environment and their morals just to become rich.
Ai Weiwei’s art aims to connect young people with the reality of the situation and highlight the possibility of social change.
All I can say is that, no matter what, art and technology can help to have this broader conversation and help make change happen.
ArtSpotter is supporting the petition for the release of Ai Weiwei.