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_dunno_'s review against another edition
4.0
Thought-provoking conversations on freedom, activism, oppressive regimes, technology, art and the artist's place (literal and figurative).
I always find it fascinating to be able to understand what is behind someone's art or statement. Unfortunately, some of the topics are a bit repetitive, however AW brings new points of view and details to his stories.
I always find it fascinating to be able to understand what is behind someone's art or statement. Unfortunately, some of the topics are a bit repetitive, however AW brings new points of view and details to his stories.
cheerssteph's review against another edition
4.0
It would be better to watch these interviews rather than read them, as the some of the same topics are spoken about across the 7 interviews in this book. That said, this book was really great and I look forward to watching Ai Weiwei's documentaries now.
ms_castalian's review against another edition
2.0
Ai Weiwei has troll tendencies so it was fun to see him, in different ways, thwart each of his interviewers.
All the same, I feel the interview format is not ideal for understanding such a figure. It was interesting to feel what some interviewers wanted (a fine, MFA-level conversation about activism and art) juxtaposed with his real authentic expression.
This feels like a book that shouldn’t be a book. Not in a bad way. But to try to civilize Ai Weiwei is like trying to dress up a wild animal, and that is his charm.
All the same, I feel the interview format is not ideal for understanding such a figure. It was interesting to feel what some interviewers wanted (a fine, MFA-level conversation about activism and art) juxtaposed with his real authentic expression.
This feels like a book that shouldn’t be a book. Not in a bad way. But to try to civilize Ai Weiwei is like trying to dress up a wild animal, and that is his charm.
marinaotero's review against another edition
4.0
This is the type of book that's even difficult to rate. Ai Weiwei is one of the greatest artists nowadays and it was a delight to read a book about his interviews, specially when we consider that he's such a controversial person.
I was glad to read both versions of Ai Weiwei that merge in only one: the artist and the activist. He speaks not only about his art, but about the world that surround us, the wold we know and that we don't, he speaks a lot about the politics in our every day life and how art is politcs and the other way around. So, when we read the book, it all makes sense, if Ai Weiwei talks about politics, he's also talking about art.
It's been a few years that I saw one of his exhibits when it came to my city for the last and first time and it was great to remember his works and to feel the need to know those I didn't, including his documentaries. And it was also amazing to know more about the story of his life, even if it can get a little repetitive.
The only negative side of this book for me was that I wish it was a little longer so Ai Weiwei could develop some of the subjects a bit longer, but overall it's totally worth it.
I was glad to read both versions of Ai Weiwei that merge in only one: the artist and the activist. He speaks not only about his art, but about the world that surround us, the wold we know and that we don't, he speaks a lot about the politics in our every day life and how art is politcs and the other way around. So, when we read the book, it all makes sense, if Ai Weiwei talks about politics, he's also talking about art.
It's been a few years that I saw one of his exhibits when it came to my city for the last and first time and it was great to remember his works and to feel the need to know those I didn't, including his documentaries. And it was also amazing to know more about the story of his life, even if it can get a little repetitive.
The only negative side of this book for me was that I wish it was a little longer so Ai Weiwei could develop some of the subjects a bit longer, but overall it's totally worth it.
bellscansada's review against another edition
4.0
I got a review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
A friend of mine got a copy of this book and was talking about it which made me curious.
I've heard about Ai Weiwei before but I knew pretty much nothing about him or his works, so I dived into this without knowing what to expect (besides what my friend had already showed me). Now I can tell you with certain I'm in love with him and his work, and the way he talks and expresses himself.
In "Conversations" you'll read about his work as an artist and as an architect, about China, about how the westnern society sees freedom as an individual thing rather than a collective and that always sounds strange to him (it is very strange if you ask me). I ended up wanting to seek all his work to study and appreciate it, and already reccomended it to at least four other people.
The only "negative" thing I have to say about it it's that I think it works much better if you don't read it all at once like I did. A lot of the questions are similar and it can sound repetitive. I'd suggest taking your time with it.
A friend of mine got a copy of this book and was talking about it which made me curious.
I've heard about Ai Weiwei before but I knew pretty much nothing about him or his works, so I dived into this without knowing what to expect (besides what my friend had already showed me). Now I can tell you with certain I'm in love with him and his work, and the way he talks and expresses himself.
In "Conversations" you'll read about his work as an artist and as an architect, about China, about how the westnern society sees freedom as an individual thing rather than a collective and that always sounds strange to him (it is very strange if you ask me). I ended up wanting to seek all his work to study and appreciate it, and already reccomended it to at least four other people.
The only "negative" thing I have to say about it it's that I think it works much better if you don't read it all at once like I did. A lot of the questions are similar and it can sound repetitive. I'd suggest taking your time with it.
blackgoddessreviews's review against another edition
3.0
I received a free e-ARC from the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ai Weiwei has been on my radar ever since I had a discussion about him in class at university. At the time he was under house arrest and we were talking about the links between art and activism, especially in the context of China.
These six conversations between took place between Ai Weiwei and various art critics and journalists took place in the context of his 2017 exhibition 'Good Fences Make Good Neighbours.'
While I found parts of these conversations repetitive (which is the nature of interviews in my opinion), for the most part I was absolutely riveted. It was interesting to learn more about Ai Weiwei's background (family, career etc.), as well as the connections between his art (including film) and activism. He has a big personality that goes with his big ideas, and it was fascinating to see more of the man behind the curtain.
I'd recommend this book to fans of his work, as well as anyone with an interest in modern art, and even activism. I would recommend reading each conversation with a bit of time in between due to the repetition of material.
Ai Weiwei has been on my radar ever since I had a discussion about him in class at university. At the time he was under house arrest and we were talking about the links between art and activism, especially in the context of China.
These six conversations between took place between Ai Weiwei and various art critics and journalists took place in the context of his 2017 exhibition 'Good Fences Make Good Neighbours.'
While I found parts of these conversations repetitive (which is the nature of interviews in my opinion), for the most part I was absolutely riveted. It was interesting to learn more about Ai Weiwei's background (family, career etc.), as well as the connections between his art (including film) and activism. He has a big personality that goes with his big ideas, and it was fascinating to see more of the man behind the curtain.
I'd recommend this book to fans of his work, as well as anyone with an interest in modern art, and even activism. I would recommend reading each conversation with a bit of time in between due to the repetition of material.
laviniag's review against another edition
4.0
Thought-provoking conversations on freedom, activism, oppressive regimes, technology, art and the artist's place (literal and figurative).
I always find it fascinating to be able to understand what is behind someone's art or statement. Unfortunately, some of the topics are a bit repetitive, however AW brings new points of view and details to his stories.
I always find it fascinating to be able to understand what is behind someone's art or statement. Unfortunately, some of the topics are a bit repetitive, however AW brings new points of view and details to his stories.
sebrittainclark's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
3.0
This collection of interviews gave interesting insight into Ai Weiwei's thoughts, particularly around issues of immigration and the refugee crisis in Europe, and his artistic process more broadly. It was interesting to get more information into his thoughts about his work and how he approaches it. I found the way he describes himself as not very creative and that his art is more straightforward as very interesting. I also enjoyed seeing photographs of his public art installations in New York that I've never seen in person.
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