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Post by sleepboy on Oct 19, 2010 5:06:28 GMT -8
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Post by lowpro on Oct 19, 2010 7:10:32 GMT -8
I had read a few articles about this last week after the installation first opened. The conception of the project and production of all the handmade seeds is a truly mindboggling undertaking. Really sad that after the length of time and effort put into making and painting all the ceramic seeds by the craftsmen in China, and the ensuing realization that the dust being kicking into the air when visitors played in the piles was noxious and could be hazardous to their health, that the install can no longer be interacted with as it was intended. Can't imagine the experience now will be a fraction of the impact compared to when attendees were able to play in the seeds. I suppose there are always these unforeseen outcomes. I know this whole Tate installation series has interactiveness at it's core, so it's certainly unfortunate.
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Post by gildoinc on Oct 19, 2010 8:03:43 GMT -8
This exhibit looked incredible and it really is so unfortunate that people won't be able to interact with the seeds as intended. This was obviously a huge endeavor and one would have expected someone to have tested the seeds for health risks sometime before making 100 million of them.
Those are incredible images Sleep posted. It's interesting that the man sweeping the seeds is wearing a mask.
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Post by lowpro on Oct 19, 2010 8:10:51 GMT -8
Here's a nice video shot during the opening day with visitors enjoying the hands on experience. The sound alone is one of the coolest things about it. Multi-sensory amazement.
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Post by svenman on Oct 19, 2010 11:58:38 GMT -8
thanks gil. those are my pics. yes, it was a truly sensrory experience to see and be part of the the installation. i'm glad we caught it in time for us to get involved. i visited with juggernut and my friend patrick. the 3 of us were enthralled by the experience. the sound of the seeds crunching underfoot was remarkable. people were doing snow angels, walking around with no shoes like on the beach and dragging their kids through the seeds. the blanket was around 6 inches thick, so it really did give a satisfying crunch underfoot. there was not much dust around at all. we remarked that not a single one of the seeds had been broken, and they were very hard due to their small size. the workers were indeed wearing masks, and we noticed this at the time, but it seemed like total overkill. i was wearing a black shirt and jacket and got right down amongst the seeds to get some very low shots. not a speck of dust was on my clothes. sometimes health and safety gets in the way of people's enjoyment, and this seems like what has happened here. it's a shame, because the participation of the viewer is essentially what made this such an enjoyable experience for me, my friends and by the looks of it everybody else who was in that hall absolutely loving the experience. some more pics here if you're interested too. www.flickr.com/photos/amillionpieces/sets/72157625199671150/right after this we went to see adam neate's wonderful new work and then off to the lazarides tunnels, for a different kind of sensory experience. was a great day. |
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Post by gildoinc on Oct 19, 2010 21:56:21 GMT -8
I had a feeling those might be your pictures Sven. They are really fantastic and thanks for the wonderful description of the experience - Too bad it was available for such a short time. You and juggernut are definitely lucky you got to experience it.
I just read Roberta Smith saw "that the piece looked like an upper-respiratory disaster waiting to happen." It's worth pointing out because it seems that unfortunately, the initial praise and excitement for this incredible endeavor is being replaced by reviews and articles that focus on the dust/health concerns.
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Post by sleepboy on Oct 20, 2010 8:43:00 GMT -8
It's interesting that the man sweeping the seeds is wearing a mask. Haha, that's what I thought. Um, it's okay for you to frolic in the seeds, but I'll be wearing my mask... Yes, a nice set of pics from Sven for sure. Here is a pic of him in action haha.  |
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Post by sleepboy on Nov 2, 2010 17:39:28 GMT -8
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Post by Weekender on Nov 3, 2010 11:15:54 GMT -8
Thanks for sharing, it was a very interesting read. A case where art and politics dont mix  |
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Post by juggernut3 on Nov 3, 2010 12:56:49 GMT -8
I had a feeling those might be your pictures Sven. They are really fantastic and thanks for the wonderful description of the experience - Too bad it was available for such a short time. You and juggernut are definitely lucky you got to experience it. I just read Roberta Smith saw "that the piece looked like an upper-respiratory disaster waiting to happen." It's worth pointing out because it seems that unfortunately, the initial praise and excitement for this incredible endeavor is being replaced by reviews and articles that focus on the dust/health concerns. Yes, we were very fortunate to go as we almost decided to do this at the end of the week. But with some artchival/AM luck on our side the decision was made and it was one of the coolest experiences of my life. What's more was that Sven made me sit through this video when all that was on my mind was... we got 1.5 hours left, need to run to Adam Neate... But thank goddess for that suggestion because the 10 minute behind the scenes video documenting the "making of the seeds" in the Chinese Village blew our minds. To think that 1600 people worked over 3 years to create this 100 million hand painted/crafted ceramic art. Ai Weiwei is my hero. |
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Post by sleepboy on Dec 9, 2010 22:48:10 GMT -8
So I guess we now know how much these seeds cost. This pile was half a million dollars. Guess you guys should have grabbed a bunch when you were there  if you didn't already... This pile was being sold at Art Basel at the faurschou booth. |
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Post by gildoinc on Dec 10, 2010 9:14:44 GMT -8
So I guess we now know how much these seeds cost. This pile was half a million dollars. Guess you guys should have grabbed a bunch when you were there if you didn't already... This pile was being sold at Art Basel at the faurschou booth.They should knock off a couple grand based on the fact that people kept walking up and grabbing them. In the 15 minutes I spent near the piece at least 8 people walked off with a seed. |
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Post by svenman on Dec 10, 2010 12:49:01 GMT -8
seriously, that's fucking crazy that people were taking them from the installation piece in miami.
i must admit that i did grab a few seeds from the tate, as wrong as it is, but i felt that i needed to show people just how enthralling the large installation was, and showing them the seeds is the best way to explain.
i must be sitting on - ooooh - 5 dollars right now!
i wonder what will happen to the seeds in the tate when the exhibit finishes?
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Post by sleepboy on Dec 11, 2010 9:54:32 GMT -8
Come now Sven, they must be worth more than 5 dollars? I imagine someone somewhere in the world who visited the Tate on multiple occasions and were aggressive enough must have a little pile at home as well... By the way, Ai Weiwei has signed with Lisson Gallery I hear. I think that is in London so soon you will be able to add to your stash |
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Post by sleepboy on Jan 6, 2011 8:47:42 GMT -8
Trailer for new full length documentary:
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Post by sleepboy on Jan 11, 2011 20:31:50 GMT -8
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Post by lowpro on Feb 20, 2011 14:10:14 GMT -8
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Post by sleepboy on Feb 21, 2011 15:00:35 GMT -8
That sucks. Hopefully, he can have the retrospective elsewhere although it would not be the same... |
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Post by sleepboy on Mar 15, 2011 21:58:56 GMT -8
His Zodiac Heads will be showing in Central Park, New York come May.  |
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Post by lowpro on Mar 19, 2011 16:43:54 GMT -8
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Post by sleepboy on Apr 4, 2011 16:19:28 GMT -8
Dude is missing right now, held by the Chinese government.
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Post by lowpro on Apr 4, 2011 21:46:49 GMT -8
Nevermind. Guess you can't embed Part 2. Here's a direct link..
This guys my hero.
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Post by lowpro on Apr 11, 2011 3:51:53 GMT -8
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Post by lowpro on Apr 11, 2011 19:42:51 GMT -8
Not to keep posting in this thread alone. But in case there are at least some people that care and want to stay updated, here's a great site that has been constructed to provide accounts of all new information. www.freeaiweiwei.org/ |
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Post by astrogirl on Apr 11, 2011 21:04:58 GMT -8
Not to keep posting in this thread alone. But in case there are at least some people that care and want to stay updated, here's a great site that has been constructed to provide accounts of all new information. www.freeaiweiwei.org/thanks for this. |
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if you didn't already... This pile was being sold at Art Basel at the 
