Ai Weiwei

 Ai Weiwei 

 Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn 1995

Han Dynasty with Coca-Cola Logo 1994

Ai Weiwei is not only a very cutting-edge contemporary artist but also a political activist and social observer. In such a communist and restricted environment as China, he risks his personal freedom to create art that speaks for many people's will. Many of his works are controversial and bold, bold enough to put him in jail. Nevertheless, he still insists to make arts that represents and fights for his and many others' freedom. 

For instance, his 1995 piece called "Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn"(second picture above) is a documentation of his protest against the imperial political system of China. Breaking such valuable piece of art in history is a way of breaking the history. By capturing and presenting this action in public, Ai Weiwei proposed a way out for people restricted under and want to break from the imperial government construction.

I believe that Ai Weiwei's bold and artistic approach is a very clever and elegant way of showing his urge for freedom and a better living condition. Not only that it is easier for people to understand but also that it attracts international attention.