{"product_id":"ai-weiwei-making-sense-9781872005638","title":"AI Weiwei: Making Sense","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAi Weiwei: Making Sense - A Journey Through Chinese Craft and Contemporary Design\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis comprehensive publication presents Ai Weiwei's work through the lens of design, collecting, and cultural commentary. Published in collaboration with the Design Museum, this hardcover volume features over 200 images documenting the artist's personal collections and newly commissioned works.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eArchaeological Collections and Historical Artifacts\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe book showcases Ai Weiwei's curated selection of objects spanning millennia of Chinese history. From ancient stone axe heads and Neolithic tools to porcelain teapot spouts and modern mass-produced items, these collections reveal the artist's fascination with craftsmanship across time periods. Each object serves as a commentary on skill, tradition, and the values embedded in material culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eChinese Urbanization and Cultural Transformation\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAi Weiwei places historical Chinese artifacts in dialogue with the country's recent periods of demolition and urban development. This juxtaposition examines how rapid industrialization has impacted traditional craftsmanship and cultural heritage. The book documents this tension between preservation and progress through carefully selected objects and new artworks created specifically for the Design Museum exhibition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eExpert Essays and Exclusive Interview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLeading experts contribute essays exploring dominant themes in Ai's practice, including craft traditions, the act of collecting, and China's transformation through urbanization and industrialization. The publication concludes with an interview between Ai Weiwei and renowned British Israeli architect Eyal Weizman, offering insights into the artist's methodology and philosophical approach to design and activism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eComprehensive Visual Documentation\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith over 200 high-quality images, this volume provides extensive visual documentation of Ai Weiwei's collected objects and commissioned works. The photography captures the materiality and craftsmanship of each piece, from ancient stone implements to contemporary installations, making this an essential reference for understanding Ai's multidisciplinary practice across art, architecture, design, film, collecting, and curating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAi Weiwei: Making Sense\u003c\/strong\u003e represents the first major publication to examine the artist's work specifically as commentary on design and changing cultural values, making it an important addition to contemporary art and design literature.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Design Museum","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50680414535954,"sku":"9781872005638","price":32.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_bd41b1ac-e5e0-463c-941a-b62553b41802.jpg?v=1734906263","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/ai-weiwei-making-sense-9781872005638","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}