Visit:
Three Shadows Photography Art Center
This January, the Three Shadows Photography Art Centrel opened 'Ai Weiwei: New York Photographs 1983-1993,' an exhibition of the artist's unpublished photographs. The pieces in this exhibition were chosen from a collection of over 10,000 photographs that capture the history, culture, and atmosphere of 1980s New York from Ai Weiwei's unique perspective on art and society.
There are photographs of East Village poetry readings, riots in Tompkins Square Park, drag queens from Wigstock, and visits by well-known artists and writers from China. The photographs not only document the changes of an era, but also reveal the world as seen through Ai Weiwei's eyes and trace the beginnings of his conceptual art practice.
An important Chinese contemporary artist, Ai Weiwei is well known for his sculptures, installations, and architecture. Yet photography also plays an important role in his art practice. He has a distinct understanding of photography and has created some of his most iconic artworks with photographs.
The New York photographs are records of his life and work, which carry the stamp of that time. They are not a perfect chronicle of Ai Weiwei's life, but rather scenes taken from his surroundings that reveal his thoughts and attitudes at the moment. The photographs are a valuable piece of visual history for both him personally and contemporary art.