London: “Free Ai Weiwei”… and meet new friends

by Silvia Vatta | May 24, 2011 in Weaving Relations | Leave A Comment

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A big issue the arrest of the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei!

In London it is something that everybody in the art field must talk about, even more because of the significant tribute series of exhibitions that have just opened around the city.

In a day off from job, wide awake late, I took the bus in direction Sumerset House. It was the first time in my life that I saw that impressive building! I got in from the low floor, from the basement and soon I got lost among arrows, white corridors and glass doors.

But I was not the only one, fortunately I met many other confused faces, so I decided to join to a lady. She was around 70 years old, still plenty of energies, ready to passionately complain to the staff members about the exhibition´ s signs which were absolutely not clear. So, they gave us a map and I decided that this interesting lady with white hair and red lipstick would have become my mate for the whole exhibition tour.

With the lift we arrived in the ground floor, in the terrific open space of this building with a turbulent history. Constructed in 1547 and renovated several times it hosted courts and residence of dukes, queens and princesses. After a comprehensive restoration program it has been turned now into a fervent cultural space with galleries and exhibiting spaces.

So, the work by Ai Weiwei Circle of Animal / Zodiac Heads stands in the centre, partially surrounding the squared fountain. The installation is composed by 12 bronze sculptures representing the symbols of the traditional Chinese zodiac.

After a short video, in a tiny room aimed to explain the process of making that kind of sculpture through the story of the artist, I and my new old friend had a nice coffee in the wonderful terrace in front of the Embankment and the river, pleasantly talking about the shocking disappearance of the artist and about her life as old enthusiast art lover, who from New York just took a trip around Europe, meeting friends and still discovering things. I was frankly very impressed!

But my “Ai Weiwei’s day” is not finished jet. I said good bye to the American lady, who by the way is not going to be one of my friends on Facebook, but I’m sure, I will keep a bit of her passion with me… together with a picture of her.

London is still dedicating a big space to the Chinese artist with a wide solo show in both the Lisson Gallery’s venues in 52-54 and 29 of Bell Street. Here you can see works from the past six years, mainly sculptures made out of white marble and so awesome wood that you feel like you want to touch them even if you are not allowed to.

It is the first day open to the public and I feel like I am one of the many people jumping from one place to the other following this exhibition and surprisingly chatting with strangers, being part of a community that is there not just for an exhibition…..