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Ai Weiwei’s Grapes makes use of ten Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) stools. 2008. Courtesy fo the artist; Friedman Benda, New York; photo by Bill Orcutt.
Ai Weiwei’s Grapes makes use of ten Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) stools. 2008. Courtesy fo the artist; Friedman Benda, New York; photo by Bill Orcutt.
Refraction, a wing-like structure in the New Industries Building at Alcatraz, is composed of reflective panels from Tibetan solar cookers. “When you constrain freedom, freedom will take flight and land on a windowsill,” Ai says.
Refraction, a wing-like structure in the New Industries Building at Alcatraz, is composed of reflective panels from Tibetan solar cookers. “When you constrain freedom, freedom will take flight and land on a windowsill,” Ai says.
Refraction can only be viewed via the gun gallery, where armed guards once patrolled. The sculpture, made up of Tibetan solar panels, seems poised to fly, yet too heavy and constrained to do so.
Refraction can only be viewed via the gun gallery, where armed guards once patrolled. The sculpture, made up of Tibetan solar panels, seems poised to fly, yet too heavy and constrained to do so.
With Blossom, Ai fills the vessels in the hospital and psychiatric wing with white porcelain flowers, infusing a healing element to a bleak canvas.
With Blossom, Ai fills the vessels in the hospital and psychiatric wing with white porcelain flowers, infusing a healing element to a bleak canvas.
Stay Tuned is an audio exhibition, which pipes protest songs and speeches through the grates in individual cells, made infamous for becoming the passageway allowing the famous escape from Alcatraz.
Stay Tuned is an audio exhibition, which pipes protest songs and speeches through the grates in individual cells, made infamous for becoming the passageway allowing the famous escape from Alcatraz.
Ai incorporated himself into the show in a subtle way, with these words on the With Wind dragon.
Ai incorporated himself into the show in a subtle way, with these words on the With Wind dragon.
Another clear juxtaposition takes place in With Wind, which pairs a delicate, joyful Chinese dragon with quotes about freedom and justice from those depicted in Trace. With Wind is housed in a building reserved for prison labor—considered a privilege at Alcatraz. Its light materials and joyful colors are brought down to earth by its oppressive, crumbling surroundings.
Another clear juxtaposition takes place in With Wind, which pairs a delicate, joyful Chinese dragon with quotes about freedom and justice from those depicted in Trace. With Wind is housed in a building reserved for prison labor—considered a privilege at Alcatraz. Its light materials and joyful colors are brought down to earth by its oppressive, crumbling surroundings.
The exhibition concludes with the interactive Yours Truly, in which visitors select postcards to send to the subjects of the Trace portraits.
The exhibition concludes with the interactive Yours Truly, in which visitors select postcards to send to the subjects of the Trace portraits.
Inspirational spaces
Inspirational spaces
Erika: Ai Weiwei Forever Bicycles Sculpture As part of Scotiabank Nuit Blanche Toronto, a weeks-long art celebration, world-renowned Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei has just opened an exhibition of his Forever Bicycles sculpture in Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square. The exhibition consists of 3,144 interconnected bicycles forming a three-dimensional structure that creates an incredible visual effect.
Erika: Ai Weiwei Forever Bicycles Sculpture As part of Scotiabank Nuit Blanche Toronto, a weeks-long art celebration, world-renowned Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei has just opened an exhibition of his Forever Bicycles sculpture in Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square. The exhibition consists of 3,144 interconnected bicycles forming a three-dimensional structure that creates an incredible visual effect.
This brightly colored streamlined dispenser is designed to hold a roll of toilet paper just like a box of tissues.
This brightly colored streamlined dispenser is designed to hold a roll of toilet paper just like a box of tissues.
Trace comprises 175 abstracted portraits of prisoners both past and present, rendered with 1.2 million Legos. The colorful medium is a direct, stark contrast to the subject.
Trace comprises 175 abstracted portraits of prisoners both past and present, rendered with 1.2 million Legos. The colorful medium is a direct, stark contrast to the subject.
British artist Hannah Sawtell and technologist Avi Flombaum created sawbaum.com, where users can create visual collages using multiple vine streams. "We wanted it to look like a visual comic book, with overlapping panels," said Flombaum. "And we wanted it to be fun!" Photo courtesy Rhizome.
British artist Hannah Sawtell and technologist Avi Flombaum created sawbaum.com, where users can create visual collages using multiple vine streams. "We wanted it to look like a visual comic book, with overlapping panels," said Flombaum. "And we wanted it to be fun!" Photo courtesy Rhizome.
Yours Truly takes over the Alcatraz dining hall and includes an opportunity for visitors to personalize and send postcards of Ai's design to the subjects of the Trace portraits.
Yours Truly takes over the Alcatraz dining hall and includes an opportunity for visitors to personalize and send postcards of Ai's design to the subjects of the Trace portraits.
Blossom integrates porcelain flowers into areas of the Alcatraz hospital.
Blossom integrates porcelain flowers into areas of the Alcatraz hospital.
One of 175 portraits from Trace, which took more than one million Lego pieces to build.
One of 175 portraits from Trace, which took more than one million Lego pieces to build.
The Trace portraits—which include Nelson Mandela, Edward Snowden, and the Tibetan pop singer Lolo—were laid out in the artist's studio in Beijing prior to being sent to Alcatraz.
The Trace portraits—which include Nelson Mandela, Edward Snowden, and the Tibetan pop singer Lolo—were laid out in the artist's studio in Beijing prior to being sent to Alcatraz.
2012: Herzog & de Meuron and Ai Weiwei A curious retrospective, this subterranean design dug beneath the site’s lawn to explore the history of previous Pavilions. A cork-clad interior, ringed with a dozen different column (one for each previous design), was created with sustainability in mind, with materials and color reflecting the excavated earth. Photograph © 2012 Iwan Baan
2012: Herzog & de Meuron and Ai Weiwei A curious retrospective, this subterranean design dug beneath the site’s lawn to explore the history of previous Pavilions. A cork-clad interior, ringed with a dozen different column (one for each previous design), was created with sustainability in mind, with materials and color reflecting the excavated earth. Photograph © 2012 Iwan Baan
With Wind is also housed in the New Industries Building, and references colorful paper dragons.
With Wind is also housed in the New Industries Building, and references colorful paper dragons.
Original architect A.I. Bumgardner had a major influence on Seattle’s urban landscape. Notable works include the city’s Waterfront Park and the conversion of Queen Anne High School into an apartment complex.
Original architect A.I. Bumgardner had a major influence on Seattle’s urban landscape. Notable works include the city’s Waterfront Park and the conversion of Queen Anne High School into an apartment complex.
Illustration via drawastickman.com.
Illustration via drawastickman.com.
One of the witticisms found on livethesheendream.com.
One of the witticisms found on livethesheendream.com.
Ulysses word cloud poster from beautifulwordsbeautifulart.com.
Ulysses word cloud poster from beautifulwordsbeautifulart.com.
A smart Bluetooth speaker equipped with an AI assistant named Alexa, the Amazon Echo can play music, read top news stories, define terms, perform web queries, and more.
A smart Bluetooth speaker equipped with an AI assistant named Alexa, the Amazon Echo can play music, read top news stories, define terms, perform web queries, and more.
Ai exploration of the BUTterFLY Concept
Ai exploration of the BUTterFLY Concept
Elfa by the Container Store / containerstore.com
Elfa by the Container Store / containerstore.com
Ai exploration: Garters, Cables, Hovering.
Ai exploration: Garters, Cables, Hovering.
Ai exploration: Caramel, Melting, Gravity
Ai exploration: Caramel, Melting, Gravity
The 2012 Serpentine Pavilion designed by Herzog & de Meuron and Ai Weiwei. Photo by Iwan Baan.
The 2012 Serpentine Pavilion designed by Herzog & de Meuron and Ai Weiwei. Photo by Iwan Baan.
Ai exploration: Fluorescent lighting, Strings, Allusion.
Ai exploration: Fluorescent lighting, Strings, Allusion.
Ai exploration: Wireframe, Metal string, Mirror
Ai exploration: Wireframe, Metal string, Mirror
Ai exploration: Pink details, Looking Up, Bubbles
Ai exploration: Pink details, Looking Up, Bubbles
Illustration Play 2 goes on sale September 6. For more information, visit victionary.com or gingkopress.com.
Illustration Play 2 goes on sale September 6. For more information, visit victionary.com or gingkopress.com.

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