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Weiwei-isms

Series: ISMs
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Weiwei-isms is a compact collection of striking quotes from Ai Weiwei, the renowned Chinese artist and activist. These succinct statements reveal his thoughts on art, politics, freedom, and personal experience, drawn from tweets, interviews, and essays. The book explores themes such as freedom of expression, art as activism, government power, the digital age, history, and self-reflection. It showcases Ai Weiwei's courage and creativity, from his investigations after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake to his 2011 arrest, offering an intimate glimpse into the mind of a fearless contemporary cultural figure.
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Format: Hardback
$3299
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Weiwei-isms is perfect for dissidents-in-training, fans of Ai Weiwei, and anyone who appreciates thoughtful, terse reflections, particularly those active on social media platforms like Twitter. It will appeal to readers interested in contemporary art, political activism, and the intersection of digital communication and human rights.

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*One of The Village Voice 's Favourite Books for 2012*

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

One of The Village Voice's Favourite Books for 2012

This collection of quotes demonstrates the elegant simplicity of Ai Weiwei's thoughts on key aspects of his art, politics, and life.

A master at communicating powerful ideas in astonishingly few words, Ai Weiwei is known for his innovative use of social media to disseminate his views. The short quotations presented here have been carefully selected from articles, tweets, and interviews given by this acclaimed Chinese artist and activist.

The book is organised into six categories: freedom of expression; art and activism; government, power, and moral choices; the digital world; history, the historical moment, and the future; and personal reflections. Together, these quotes span some of the most revealing moments of Ai Weiwei's eventful career - from his risky investigation into student deaths in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake to his arbitrary arrest in 2011 - providing a window into the mind of one of the world's most electrifying and courageous contemporary artists.

Select Quotes from the Book:

  • 'Say what you need to say plainly, and then take responsibility for it.'
  • 'Liberty is about our rights to question everything.'
  • 'Everything is art. Everything is politics.'
  • 'The art always wins. Anything can happen to me, but the art will stay.'
  • 'I feel powerless all the time, but I regain my energy by making a very small difference that won't cost me much.'
  • 'If a nation cannot face its past, it has no future.'

PERFECT FOR: Dissidents-in-training, Ai fans and anyone with a Twitter handle. - Huffington Post

Don't let the size fool you. Ai Weiwei's little black book will leave a lasting impression. - Sylvia Tsai, ArtAsiaPacific

Series: ISMs

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  • Understanding Modern Art
    An updated edition of the pocket-sized guide to the 'isms' of modern art. This is a handy guide to the art 'isms' of the modern day. From Impressionism and the birth of modern art to street art and Internationalism of the 21st century, it gives you a practical introduction to all the significant 'isms' that have shaped modern art history....
    By Sam Phillips
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

This acclaimed book was named among Huffington Post's Best Art Books of 2012 and one of The Village Voice's favourite books of the year. Publishers Weekly praised its impactful, pithy quotations that inspire and engage readers globally. The Financial Times highlighted Ai Weiwei's masterful, uncompromising style of communication, comparing his influence to that of Andy Warhol. ArtAsiaPacific noted its lasting impression despite the book's small size.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780691157665

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 05 December 2012

Country: United States

Imprint: Princeton University Press

Contributors:

  • Edited by Larry Warsh
  • Edited by Larry Warsh

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 108.0mm

Height: 133.0mm

Weight: 142g

Pages: 152

Collections

Ai Weiwei Arts & Culture Non-Fiction

About the Author

Ai Weiwei is one of China's most influential and inspiring figures. Artist, architect, curator, and activist, he has been an outspoken critic of the Chinese government's stance on human rights and democracy. His work has been exhibited at the Venice Biennale, the Guangzhou Triennial, Tate Modern, the Smithsonian, and other venues throughout the world. Larry Warsh has been active in the art world for more than thirty years. He has collaborated with Ai Weiwei on several projects, including the public art installation Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads (2010). Warsh is a former member of the Contemporary Arts Council of the Asia Society and the Contemporary Arts Committee of the China Institute. He has also served on the boards of the Museum of Contemporary Art, China; the Alliance for the Arts; and the Getty Museum Photographs Council. He is currently on the board of Muse Film and Television and is a member of the Basquiat Authentication Committee.

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