Art & Inspiration Blog

Artists are the natural born inspirational leaders and also the critics of their tribe, which means society. The size of the tribe can vary, but due to the internet and words and images that are easily sent far and wide, plus translated, the tribe can include much of the world.

When a government tries to silence the work of any artist who protests or criticizes the government, society, culture, etc., the whole society is diminished as a dialogue that could lead to greater harmony, understanding and progress is stifled.

This week the Chinese government issued notice to the internationally renowned artist Ai Wei Wei that his studio in Shanghai is to be demolished. This is especially bitter since he was wooed by the government to build this new studio in Shanghai . Now the government claims it lacks the necessary permits. The authorities have also suggested that Mr. Ai could donate the building to the government. “Of course I don’t want it to be knocked down, but they already announced it was illegal so I don’t see how they can take the sentence back,” said Ai Weiwei.

Ai Weiwei is an outspoken critic of China ‘s government in relation to human rights. Since Chinese writer Liu Xiaobo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last month the press of the free world has reported an ongoing and widespread crackdown on dissidents, lawyers and professors in China .

On Friday, November 5, 2010 , the Guardian reported that Ai Weiwei was under house arrest until Sunday evening, which coincides with the end of a party he had planned in his studio as a kind of a protest and send off.

Apparently, the Chinese governments problems with Ai Weiwei stem from his activities protesting the government’s handling of the devastating Chinese earthquake, and his using his fame and international recognition, including his popular Twitter account (href=”twitter.com/aiww”) @aiwwto accomplish this.

Moreover, Ai Weiwei uses his art to comment on the conditions of society and inspire change.

Ai Weiwei’s current exhibit at the Tate, and his sunflower seeds move me, as I see each seed as a tiny, sculptural Conceptual Art stroke. There is so much meaning inherent in each of these tiny porcelain seeds, as sunflower seeds are both nourishing and also the convey the hope and promise of the glorious huge flowers they can become. Piled together as I saw them at Chelsea Piers, or filling a floor that can be walked on at the Tate, these porcelain seeds can be understood as many hopes and dreams that are unfulfilled and will never come to fruition. They are as dry and lifeless as the porcelain they are made of. Mr’s Ai’s comment on his society and perhaps that of the world, is filled with wry irony that can inspire humanity.

Clearly, I am a fan of Ai Weiwei’s work, which I have mentioned previously in at least one blog review. However, even if I hated his work, I would still protest the actions by the Chinese authorities to limit his art and freedom.

I am a citizen and artist of the USA , living in New York , and I have no first hand knowledge if Ai Weiwei is correct in his criticism and protests of his government. However, I do salute his bravery and conscientious behavior in standing for something he holds to be true, even though he knew his actions would not be popular in a country that limits or even curtails free speech (and thus art).

Although my work is not yet well known, I am the founder of Post Conceptual Art theory, which includes the branch known as UnGraven Image . As of last week another good artist is joining in, creating works according to the tenets of the theory as stated in its manifesto, which makes it the first theoretical art movement of the 21 st Century, as well as the first ever founded by a woman. Further, this is the first religious art theory or movement that encompasses theology and beliefs held by most of the world’s religions, while also being science based. It is a vision that we can all share.

This puts me in a position of artistic leadership. I cannot stand by and watch what is happening to Ai Weiwei without protest, although my form of leadership through my work is usually to inspire.

Perhaps as artists we enjoy a perspective that most people do not experience in their lives and work. Although Ai Weiwei is Chinese and I am American, our collectors and fans are internationally based, as are art fairs, galleries and even museums like the Guggenheim. The country where we live is not necessarily where we sell our art or have professional connections. In fact, where we make our art really is initially in our minds, and ideas can come wherever we are. Today’s artists are kind of cultural ambassadors from their countries and also citizens of the international art world.

There are no perfect governments or societies now, and none have existed throughout history. Whenever a government seeks to limit or censor its artists and/or their art that society is diminished and doomed to fail according to history. The government’s historical significance is likewise decreased, as history merely records the military and territorial might of a government but celebrates cultural and scientific progress and achievement.

Mr Ai said the decision to prevent him from attending the party was indicative of the Chinese government’s inability to tolerate dissent or debate.

When artists and scientists fled the Nazi’s they took with them innovation and culture that enhanced other societies, including that of my country during the mid-twentieth century. At that time economies were more regional, and economic sanctions from other countries would have been meaningless. Ironically, some of those artists and scientists also criticized their new countries, where they prospered, which only helped strengthen those societies to this day.

Every government that attempted to stifle its artists’ questions and protests, to impose an official view that was not tolerant of its artists and their various works, which are always communications, fell.

In the Twenty-first Century, while the many international trade agreements, multi-national companies and outsourcing have helped create a global economy, a grass roots economy has been developing that includes anyone who has access to a mobile phone or computer with internet access.

The grass roots global economy has considerable economic clout, which is understood by marketers and major international companies that seek to use the members of social media, including bloggers, Twitter and Facebook members to help promote their products. It is widely recognized that Barack Obama’s understanding and use of this technology helped get him elected.

However, this new global network can also communicate negative information about a product that can be devastating. Tylenol learned from the Mommy Bloggers who are also on Twitter, the results of such a campaign can be swift and impossible to counteract with even the best public relations efforts.

Although the government of China has attempted to curtail and censor Google and the Internet for its citizens, it cannot affect the web’s use outside of China . It cannot prevent a boycott of merchandise made in China that spreads across the internet to grow among people of many nations. The global economy means that individuals can now “vote” in relation to governments of other countries simply by what they purchase.

The public, consumers, have been patient when we learned that products from China were substandard or downright dangerous, including toys that contained lead, food that was tainted, and products that were counterfeit or defective. That patience came from the dialogue and communication with China ‘s government and manufacturers about how to correct the situations. Communication indicates good will and brings solutions. The world is eager to communicate and be friends with China and its citizens.

A government that restricts or stifles the communications of its artists, scientists and other innovators internally, limits and even cuts off its own dialogue with the international community, which appreciates the contributions of these innovators.

Ai Weiwei is recognized as one of the great Chinese artists of our time by the international art community, as can be understood from his current solo show at the Tate.

His recent house arrest and proposed demolition of Mr. Ai’s studio, will do more damage to the way the people throughout the world see that Chinese government, and merchandise that is made there, than any communication from Ai Weiwei could ever do.

A country’s wealth is not only in its gold, silver, oil, gas, diamonds and other natural resources, or in its manufacturing and goods, the real wealth of any society lies in the legacy of ideas it leaves to the next generations. These ideas come from its innovators, which include its best artists. It is hoped that China will swiftly recognize the great treasure they have in the art and life of Ai Weiwei and treat him and his studio with the great respect and honor he deserves, which will generate in turn honor and respect for the Chinese government.

“Freedom is often a person’s ability and scope of happiness.” -Ai Weiwei

VOTE, by Judy Rey Wasserman

In God We Trust series, 2010

Strokes of Dollar Bill: Exodus 20 (Ten Commandments)

Follow @judyrey who follows all real people back.

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Judy Rey Wasserman is an artist and the founder of Post Conceptual Art theory and also the branch known as UnGraven Image Art. Download a free copy click: Manifesto of Post Conceptual Art– A Painting’s Meaning is Inherent in its Stroke.
Check out the limited and open edition prints in the estore.
Follow her on Twitter at @judyrey .]

This entry was posted on Monday, November 8th, 2010 at 1:53 pm and is filed under Art & Inspiration, Tolerance, Freedom & Peace. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.