Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei
The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) has announced a major international exhibition titled Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei. We take you into the depths of the two artists’ practice and their influence on modern and contemporary life, art and cultural politics.
Developed by the NGV and The Warhol with participation of Ai Weiwei, the exhibition will feature two of the most significant artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei.
Warhol (1928-1987) was a central character in the development of Pop Art. Through an exploration of consumer society, fame, advertising, politics and capital, Warhol created some of the most influential iconography of the late twentieth century. His work during this time had an impact far beyond the world of fine art into music, film, television, celebrity and popular culture and came to represent the twentieth century modernity and the American Century.
In the 21st century, the works of Weiwei is becoming the symbol of the Chinese Century to come, representing contemporary life. An artist and social activist, Weiwei is among China’s most provocative figures whose work stretches across visual art, architecture, publishing, curatorial practice, cultural criticism, social media and activism. Weiwei’s work focuses on themes within 21st century global issues. These include tradition and modernity, the role of the individual and the state, questions of human rights, as well as the value of freedom of expression.
Despite their differences in style and time periods, Warhol and Weiwei have several characteristics in common with their approach to art and their individual roles as artists. Both are known for having a unique approach to the concept of artistic value and studio production. In particular, they have been widely recognised for redefining the role of the artist to encompass an impresario, cultural producer, activist and brand. Further, both artists are known for their close observation and documentation of contemporary society and everyday life, which is reflected in their works.
Through a focus on parallels, intersections and points of difference between the two artists’ practices, the exhibition at NGV will explore their impact on modern and contemporary life, art and cultural politics. Investigating the scope of both artists careers the exhibition will feature more than 300 works, including a wide range of paintings, sculpture, film, photography, publishing, social media as well as some major new commissions and immersive installations. This includes more than 200 of Warhol’s most celebrated works such Campbell’s Soup, Mao, Elvis and Three Marilyns and a range of key works from Weiwei’s early drawings in the 1970s and to his sculptural and photographic works in the 2000s. Further the exhibition will premier a range of commissions including a new installation by Weiwei from the Forever Bicycles series. The collection of works by Weiwei will be the most comprehensive one of the artist to date in Australia.
Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei will be accompanied by a suite of three dynamic and visually-led publication formats that investigate the conceptual, formal, strategic and historical links between the work of the two artists. The first is a deluxe collector’s book in a presentation case including a limited edition print by Weiwei. The second is a prestigious hardback edition, while the third is a luxurious paperback volume.
The exhibition will be on display from Friday 11 December 2015 – Sunday 24 April 2016 at the NGV in Melbourne, Australia.
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