chance percussion

Ai Weiwei Absent

Nat — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:35:24 +0000

On a recent trip to Tawain, I had the pleasure of visiting ‘Ai Weiwei Absent’ at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum to see his first major exhibition in the greater Chinese region. Ai was not allowed to attend his own exhibition, which partly inspired the title of the show. However, it was an exciting opportunity for mainland Chinese to finally see some of the infamous works that preceded Ai’s 81-day detention and following house arrest in Beijing.

Photographs were not allowed to be taken in the museum, but I sneaked a few anyway (and I think Ai would appreciate that).

The photograph above greeted viewers upon entrance to the main exhibition space, which set an interesting tone for the show.

Other standout works were a surveillance camera and several hard hats carved out of pure marble, and the massive “Forever Bicycles,” which consisted of 1,200 bikes welded together. This piece provided a contrasting visual angle to Ai’s usual critique of infrastructural developments, à la Chang’an Street, Second Ring and Third Ring, especially the developments that continue to pave over China’s pedestrian life. The installation reminded me that while China is developing its cities faster than they can be occupied, millions of Chinese live veiled existences in a country suffering from third world dynamics with a first world facade.

I am curious how this exhibition will effect the “Mainlander” perspectives in China and what it will take to make positive improvements for those who are struggling to survive in the wake rapid development, censorship of expression and political persecution.

The following Ai Weiwei quotes are just a few of my favorites because they touch on broader topics that I find extremely important like human rights, social justice and the responsibility artists have to the greater community.

“If our system refuses to communicate, rejecting the idea that everyone is born equal, why should we accept such a system?” -2008 interview with Hans Ulrich Obrist.

“All the ministries of this nation, these men and women, have no shame in becoming the tools of persecution of the political power.” -2011 Twitter post. Source: dawn.com.

“If not for my use of the Internet, I would just be an artist trying to put up a canvas in a gallery or a museum, which has almost no influence for the majority of society.” -Interview with Alison Klayman.

Notapussy

Nat — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:56:04 +0000

Here’s an effective way to get the attention of the international press. Feminist punk band, Pussy Riot, staged this performance in Moscow’s Red Square as part of a series of interventionist acts to criticize Vladimir Putin and the upcoming presidential elections. Read more and listen to an interview here.

Amin Bani

Nat — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:04:39 +0000

Amin Bani is a young Persian singer whose first recording was a short video performance taped on the side of the road in 2009 in Iran. Since then he has become an underground hit, reminding us in the West that there is a peaceful side of Iran. There are hints of Flamenco singing in his vocal range, a pained and soulful combination. Here he is covering Farhad Parand’s “Khoda Negahdar,” which means “Good-bye My Dear” in Farsi.

All Hail Hung King

Nat — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:25:19 +0000

One of northeastern Vietnam’s rural folk traditions kept alive through the transmittance of dance and song, from generation to generation. (Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of safeguarding)

Dear Chris Held of Von Tundra,

Someday when we return to the States and settle down, will you please make me a Console Cabinet in the walnut finish? If so, we will build a home around it.

Most sincerely,

Nat Andreini

“Recordings”

Nat — Fri, 13 May 2011 12:01:12 +0000

What’s better than going platinum? Going sequin! As a departure from his usual work with mundane visuals like images of fish and Buddha statues, South Korean artist Noh Sang-Kyoon dabbled in the re-appropriation of old records to create these “Recordings.” I had a chance to see a solo exhibition of his in Seoul this year, but didn’t come across these beauties until I found myself in the gallery cafe eating a sandwich. A few of the “Recordings” were hanging on the wall behind the counter.

Keeping The Melodica Alive

Nat — Fri, 13 May 2011 11:56:49 +0000

“G”

Nat — Fri, 13 May 2011 11:48:38 +0000

DJ Company

Nat — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 09:35:35 +0000