AI WEIWEI

WHAT?  Ai Weiwei: Making Sense 

WHERE?  The Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High Street, London W8 6AG

WHEN?  Now until 30th July 

WHY GO?  To ponder the future. You don’t have to make sense of Ai Weiwei’s take on design and the state of the world, you just need to reflect on how it makes you feel. And it definitely feels meditative to wander around this visionary exhibition where China’s most famous artist comments on the value of craftsmanship and erased cultural values. 

Why does he display five ‘fields’ with collections of objects like fragmented porcelain, stone tools, even kids rucksacks, with regimental precision as monumental artworks?  You definitely need the accompanying notes to get the picture and it’s all very deep and philosophical.

The magnificent show-stopper is a recreation of Monet’s Water Lilies in Lego.  It’s his largest Lego work to date and offers much to reflect upon, for it represents some deeply personal issues for him.

Ai Weiwei’s notion of ‘making sense’ of the world through the 42 artworks on show includes photography and film, noting how Beijing is rapidly changing, but it never allows us to forget the unimaginable tribulations he and his father endured as ‘enemies of the state’ in the past.  All very humbling! 

IN THE KNOW It all starts inside the Design Museum's  atrium. An all encompassing timber framed Qing dynasty house, rescued by Ai from destruction, has been cheekily painted in candy colours and  fills the foyer with the spirit of hope and happiness.