ART-PRESENTATION: Andy Warhol-Ai Weiwei

This major international exhibition features two of the most significant artists of the 20th and 21st Centuries: Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei. The exhibition explores the significant influence of these two exemplary artists on modern art and contemporary life, focusing on the parallels, intersections and points of difference between the two artists’ practices.

By Efi Michalarou
Photo: National Gallery of Victoria Archive

Presenting the work of both artists, the exhibition explores modern and contemporary art, life and cultural politics through their activities, one of whom represents 20th Century modernity and the “American Century” and the other contemporary life in the 21st Century and what has been heralded as the “Chinese Century” to come. The exhibition focuses on the parallels, intersections, and points of difference between the two artists’ practices, exploring each artists influence on, and observations of, the life and cultural politics of their time, as well as their unique approaches to the notions of artistic value and studio production. While both artists come from very different cultural backgrounds and contexts, the similarities are many, both radically transformed the concept of studio production, in their work as interdisciplinary artists and the creation of a communal space for other artists and libertarians. Both recorded their everyday life. Warhol carried a tape recorder, which he referred to as his “Wife” to record everyday conversations, and took polaroids of everyone around him. After moving to New York in 1982 and becoming inspired by Warhol, Weiwei also became an incessant recorder of everyday life, resulting in his New York Photographs which appear in the exhibition. Each artist is recognised for his unique approach to notions of artistic value and studio production. Warhol’s Factory was legendary for its bringing together of artists, poets, film-makers and musicians, bohemians and intellectuals and for the serial-production of silkscreen paintings, films, television, music and publishing. The studio of Ai Weiwei is renowned for its interdisciplinary approach, post-industrial modes of production, engagement with teams of assistants and collaborators, and strategic use of communications technology and social media. Both artists have been equally critical in redefining the role of the artist as impresario, cultural producer, activist and brand and both are known for their keen observation and documentation of contemporary society and everyday life. Divided in 10 thematic sections: Icons & iconoclasm, New York / Beijing, The studio: Factory & FAKE, Duchamp & the readymade, Flowers, Life on film, Celebrity & social media, Cultural revolutions, The individual & the state, Narrative, myth & memory. The exhibition presents 200 of Andy’s Warhol works including portraits, paintings, silkscreens early drawings and commercial illustrations from the ‘50s, sculpture and installations and films. The exhibition also brings together a wide range of photography including more than 500 Polaroids documenting Warhol’s friends and colleagues, in dialogue with 120 works by Ai Weiwei spanning his career, from his early drawings in the ‘70s and readymades of the ‘80s, to painting, sculpture and photography of the ‘90s and ‘00s. New and recent installations, including “Circle of Animals (in Gold)” and “Letgo Room”, sit alongside a wide range of photography, film and social media from over the past four decades. Also the exhibition premieres a suite of new commissions from Ai Weiwei, including an installation from the “Forever Bicycles” series, composed from almost 1500 bicycles, a major work from “Chandelier” series of crystal and light, “Blossom 2015”, a installation in the form of a large bed of thousands of delicate, intricately designed white porcelain flowers and a room-scale installation featuring portraits of Australian advocates for human rights and freedom of speech and information.

Info: National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Duration: 11/12/15-24/4/16, Days & Hours: Daily 10:00-17:00, www.ngv.vic.gov.au