With the help of $423 million dollars and using the design of the Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron Ai Wei Wei created the Beijing National Stadium. Creating the worlds largest steel structure is one major task to be given but Ai Wei Wei took it in his stride and created something incredible. As the head art consultent Wei Wei made sure to incorporate Chinese symbols of culture and heritage. The design which consisted of implemented steel beams in order to hide supports for the retractable roof; gave the stadium the appearance of a "Bird's nest". Due to the stadium's outward appearance, it was nicknamed "The Bird's Nest". The use is a compliment Li explained, "In China, a bird's nest is very expensive, something you eat on special occasions."
China's main objectives of this structure was to show how far their country had come and how innovative and creative its people are. This was definantly obvious when you saw the stadium, it made the world think of China as this great and powerful country. But Wei Wei's comments would shed a different light on Beijing's amazing piece of architecture. His comment was that the work was a "pretend smile" implying that it was a facade, hiding the truth of China's people and their standard of living. Being part of a dictatorship the people of China dont experience the same freedoms and libertys that us in democracys do and this is what Ai Wei Wei does'nt agree on. He see's the rules and restrictions enforced on the population holding them back from experiencing any greatness and pride in this work.
It is not opposition to the state, but rather in fighting for individualism and freedom of expression, freedom of human rights and justice … If you read newspapers today you see the problems created by this structure and by the effort to maintain power. It is against everything that human society should be fighting for.” - Ai Wei Wei
I feel that Ai Wei Wei is a hypocrite. He needs to make his mind up, either he wants to rise against the machine and speak his mind, or support his country and its political party and create a symbol of its superiority. Because his comments and actions thus far have made him sound like an idiot.
The 'Bird's Nest' is an amazing piece of architecture and I commend him on that, but having those strong beliefs about his country already and then going through with the job of creating something of that importance is ridiculous.
Ai Wei Wei sus your ish.
I agree with you Mason, as I believe that Ai Wei Wei's actions appear to be extremely hypocritical. He has made it very clear that he has strong beliefs about the Chinese government system but what has me wondering is why he even considered being apart of the project in the first place? Surely if you feel that strongly about it all you wouldn't think twice about involving yourself.
ReplyDeleteBeing part of this project with such a direct input in helping create a building which he deems an action in keeping China’s real problems in shadows is absurd. You cannot create such a thing and then stand against the system in a flare of disapproval and argument; his comments and action, so far, have “made him sound like an idiot” – with association in this design and then the contradiction with his statements and outspoken opinion how can he truly convince the world he despises his own “Fake Smile” and the surrounding issues.
ReplyDeleteHow very hypocritical.
Personal view aside, I agree, Ai Weiwei succeeded in designing an amazing and beautiful piece of infrastructure.