Ai Weiwei

Born in 1957, in China
Lives and works in Beijing (China)

Since 1993, Ai Weiwei has become known for his performances, architectural creations, photographs and militant activities, particularly through his blog.

Biography

He studied at the Beijing Film Academy and joined the artists' collective, The Stars, who promoted individual freedom of expression and rejected the socialist realism promoted by the state. In 1981 he moved to the United States. Weiwei lived in New York from 1983 to 1993, where he discovered the work of Duchamp and Warhol and took more than 10,000 photographs of his friends and neighbours in East Village. When he returned to Beijing in 1993, Weiwei continued his photographic work through a series of provocative performances. In 1997 he helped found the China Art Archives; Warehouse, and in 2003 he set up FAKE Design, an architectural practice which worked on the Beijing Olympic Stadium. In 2006 he launched his blog of daily commentary, which was suspended by the authorities in 2009; though the artist pursued his activity on Twitter. Since 1994 Weiwei has been making sculptures using iconic Chinese objects: bicycles, porcelain vases, furniture from the Qing dynasty, reflecting the contradictions of a society torn between individualism and collectivism, tradition and modernity.

Bibliographic resources

Marlow, Tim ; Tancock, John ; Rosbottom, Daniel... [et al.]. Ai Weiwei : [exhibition, Royal Academy of arts, London, 19 september - 13 december 2015]. London : Royal Academy of Arts, 2015.

Ai Weiwei ; Pins, Anthony. Ai WeiWei : spatial matters : art architecture and activism. Cambridge : The MIT press, 2014.

Obrist, Hans Ulrich ; Colette, Olivier. Ai Weiwei. Paris : Manuella éd., 2012. (Une conversation ; 4).

Stahel, Urs ; Janser, Daniela. Ai Weiwei, interlacing : [exhibition, Fotomuseum Winterthur, Winterthur, May to August 21, 2011, Jeu de Paume, Paris, February 21 to April 29, 2012]. Göttingen : Steidl, 2011.

Smith, Karen ; Obrist, Hans Ulrich ; Fibicher, Bernhard. Ai Weiwei. New York : Phaidon, 2009. (Contemporary artists).

In The Collection

Chinese Artists at the Fondation Louis Vuitton

Exhibition of the Collection

From 27 January 2016 to 29 August 2016

This hang focused on a specific country and culture, China, featuring works by 11 artists.

Artists

Date and times

Hours

Tickets are neither exchangeable nor refundable in accordance with our general conditions of sale

All the information regarding our rates can be found here and details about your visit are available here.

Liquids (water bottles, etc.) are not permitted within the building.

Visitors are invited to leave the galleries 15 minutes before the effective closing time of the Fondation.

If you have any questions, you can contact us by calling +33 1 40 69 96 00 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., from Monday to Friday.

My subscription My renewal

Membership valid for 1 year from the date of purchase.

Do you need any help?
Contact the Membership Relations Service: relationsmembres@fondationlouisvuitton.fr
+33 1 01 40 69 96 01 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., every day except Sundays

Tickets

Tickets are neither exchangeable nor refundable in accordance with our general conditions of sale

All the information regarding our rates can be found here and details about your visit are available here.

Liquids (water bottles, etc.) are not permitted within the building.

Visitors are invited to leave the galleries 15 minutes before the effective closing time of the Fondation.

If you have any questions, you can contact us by calling +33 1 40 69 96 00 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., from Monday to Friday.

Payment

Pay by card

Fields marked with an asterisk are required.

Credit card required

First name

Last name

e.g. name@example.com

I have read and agreed to the general terms of sale.

The Fondation Louis Vuitton and its service providers process your personal data as part of the ticket purchase process, to manage your reservation and organize your visit, and to send you our newsletter if you check the box provided above. Find out more in the personal data policy.

I would like to receive news and information about upcoming events (exhibitions, concerts, shows, screenings) organized by the Fondation Louis Vuitton. I can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the link provided for this purpose at the end of each newsletter sent.

In The Collection

Discoverthe YOUNG PASS

Discover
the YOUNG PASS