Ai Weiwei's archaeological exploration of the histories and skills
that have been ignored or erased, through objects from his personal
collections
Known around the world for his powerful art and activism, Ai Weiwei
(born 1957) does not differentiate between disciplines: his practice
glides across art, architecture, design, film, collecting and curating.
Richly illustrated with over 200 images, Ai Weiwei: Making Sense is
the first major publication to present Ai's work as a commentary on
design and what it reveals about our changing values. It presents a
selection of Ai's collected objects, from ancient stone axe heads to
porcelain teapot spouts, from Neolithic tools to modern mass-produced
products, as well as new works created specifically for the Design
Museum. These collections draw from the artist's fascination with
historical Chinese artifacts, placing their craftsmanship in dialogue
with China's more recent history of demolition and urban development.
Also featured are essays by leading experts covering dominant themes in
Ai's work, such as craft, collecting and the urbanization and
industrialization of China. It concludes with an interview between
renowned British Israeli architect Eyal Weizman and Ai himself.
