Favorite Thing (Friday): Quotes to Ponder

I’m a little late with this week’s Favorite Thing Friday, but its for a good reason. I was busy enjoying an amazing exhibit from one of my favorite artists!

As my longtime readers know, I’ve written many times about the Chinese artist/activist Ai Weiwei, (See Seeds to Ponder, Lost in the Zodiac, Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry, Ai Weiwei: Without Fear or Favor).  Two years ago I had the pleasure of seeing a couple of his works while in London at the Tate Modern and Somerset House.  I found them to be immensely moving and stimulating, which made me an instant fan of this interesting and outspoken artist.

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to visit the Indianapolis Art Museum and see the exhibit, Ai Weiwei: According to What? This is the first full exhibit I’ve seen of his work and it was nothing short of awe inspiring.

Aside from intriguing pieces of sculpture and photography, the exhibit included quotations attributed to Ai Weiwei. In many ways, his words are just as powerful as his work. While I took numerous photographs of his artistic endeavors, (which I will post in the near future). I also aimed my camera at the quotes on the walls.

If the print is too small, click on the image for a full-size view.

This is a man who strives to create awareness and make people think in any way he can. Love him or hate him, he knows how to stir emotions. That’s why he’s one of my favorite things this week and always.

Ai Weiwei Speaks and Quotation Pencils
Photo by: c.b.w. 2013

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What’s your favorite thing this week?

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c.b.w. 2013

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Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry

Ai Wiewei first made a blip on my radar during the awe inspiring opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but he captured my spirit with his inspiring art installations.  Back in March, I documented my experience with his Sunflower Seeds exhibit at the Tate Modern, (see Seeds to Ponder) and since then I’ve continued to explore his work and life.

A documentary entitled, Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry, opens in theaters this weekend.  This remarkable film provides insight into the courageous and vibrant voice of a man that refuses to be silenced. Filmmaker Alison Klayman tracks everything from the artist bent on creating evocative works of art to the outspoken activist that has found himself detained more than once by the Chinese government. Klayman catches it all with a smart balance of unrelenting honesty and humor, which serves as perfect reflection of the man himself.

Watching Ai Weiwei fight for his beliefs ignites that little spark that burns in everyone.  At one point in the film he offers a statement that pretty much says it all:

Freedom is a pretty strange thing. Once you’ve experienced it, it remains in your heart and no one can take it away.

Prepare to be inspired . . .

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c.b.w. 2012