Turkishceramics’ Private View on Ai WeiWei

Don’t miss out on visiting the 3D urban landscape Unexpected Hill   designed by SO? Architecture for Turkishceramics at the Royal Academy’s forgotten zone of Burlington Gardens between 3rd of July and 20th of September offering fun and interactive weekly programs for the whole family. Turkishceramics  as the “Lead Architecture Supporter” of the Royal Academy of Arts this year have even more to offer; a retrospective on renowned artist Ai Weiwei will be hosted by Turkishceramics on 16th September. The exhibition is one of the most anticipated cultural events in London  this year. Ahead of the exhibition’s public opening, Turkishceramics will be hosting a private view along with a breakfast for high profile London-based architects in the prestigious Fine Rooms at the Royal Academy.

 About the Exhibition

So why is this exhibition, taking place from 19 September — 13 December 2015  in the Main Galleries, one of the most anticipated cultural event in London? Ai Weiwei became a renowned artist in Britain  after his sunflower seeds installation in Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall in 2010. This event in particular is significant because it will be the first major institutional survey of his work ever held in the UK and will bridge over two decades of his extraordinary career.

The cultural phenomenon Ai Weiwei, from his studio in Beijing, will be taking over two main galleries with brave, provocative and visionary works from the time he returned to China from the US in 1993 right up to the present day. Visitors will have the privileged opportunity to see his large-scale installations created specifically for the RA galleries and courtyard as well as works showcasing everything from marble and steel to tea and glass. Of course, the chosen works will be the brave expression based on his own experience of freedom, censorship and human rights, as well as contemporary Chinese art and society. 

More about  Ai WEiWei

Ai Weiwei is one of the world’s most celebrated and extraordinary artists, social critic, sculptor and video artist. He has suffered badly at the hands of the Chinese authorities and in 2009 needed surgery after being punched by a Chinese policeman. That followed his involvement in a campaign against those who are responsible for the deaths of schoolchildren buried alive in the Sichuan earthquake. In 2011, he was arrested without charge and held in custody for 81 days. After he was released, he was accused of tax evasion and fined 15m yuan. As part of his bail conditions Ai Weiwei was banned from travelling abroad and showing work in China. So he will not be able to travel to London for the show. Nevertheless, there have been signs of a softening attitude towards the artist by the authorities.

To support this extraordinary political artist The Royal Academy of Arts is about to launch its first crowdfunding campaign through Kickstarter, offering supporters rewards which include limited edition prints, access to exclusive online content and private tours for an unusual, eye-catching project: installing old trees from the mountains of southern China in its historic London courtyard. The installation will be completed by a black marble couch that will allow people to gaze up at the trees.

He has been working on his Tree series since 2009. It consists of pieces of trees which have died naturally on the mountains of southern China and are then sold as decorative pieces in the markets of Jingdezhen. Ai buys the bits of trunk, root and branch to create complete trees at his studio in Beijing.

It is no wonder that, Ai Weiwei at the Royal Academy of Arts on 19 September to 13 December will show if Ai Weiwei’s embargo by the Chinese authorities will only increase his popularity as a leading cultural figure and contribute to the free expression both in China and internationally.