Copyright %C2%A9 Ai Weiwei 2008
Marble Chair, 2008
Ai Weiweiexpand_more
Marbleexpand_more
Gift of funds from Eric Dayton in honor of Bruce Daytonexpand_more 2010.24
On View in Gallery 218expand_more
Ai Weiwei’s work, whether photography, sculpture, installation, or architecture, is marked by a persistent questioning of Chinese conventions and traditions and is often packed with personal references. Marble Chair is a commentary on the systematic destruction of Chinese culture that began during the Cultural Revolution (1966–76). It is carved from a single block of marble to resemble a traditional yoke-back chair, one of the few objects Ai’s family was allowed to keep when they were sent into exile. Ai’s collaborations with highly skilled artisans, in this case marble carvers, are a means of elevating and conserving traditional skills. As a superb piece of craftsmanship, Marble Chair is also a poignant symbol of China’s position as the world’s largest manufacturing center.
Details
- Title
- Marble Chair
- Artist Life
- born 1957
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2010.24
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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Copyright © Ai Weiwei 2008