Dear Sophie -
I first saw the Beijing based artist AI WEIWEI's installation at the Sherman Galleries in Sydney Australia and I was awestruck. He took traditional chinese furniture, cut it and reassmbled it showing a willingness to break and reconstruct centuries of revered traditions.
By shattering an antique urn, he is shattering the past so "we can create new forms and decide what is valuable".
He collaborated with the Swiss arhcitectural firm Herzog & De Muron designing the now reknown Birds Nest Stadium in Beijing for the 2008 Olympic Games.
But this celebrated artist was recently incarcerated by the Chinese government at an undisclosed location for over two months on the pretense of tax invasion. In fact he was in solitary confinement and repeatedly questioned about his political activities. He was recently released, but fined an exorbitant amount His detention has activated an outpouring of international support on his behalf.
Ai Weiwei Says China Is Seeking $2.4 Million in Back Taxes - NYTimes.com
Ai weiwei interviewed on CNN's Amanpour Part 1 - YouTube
Social media is changing our politcal landscape. Someone as articulate and influential as Ai Wei Wei has become a concern to a nation who has controlled the conversation to date. We hope that a spirit of true democracy and dialogue takes hold.
We will see.
With love,
Mom