Road of Tajines_finale

Ai Wei Wei

A stormy morning. By the Thames at the Albion Gallery, in the wavy complex designed by Foster came our first encounter with the works of Ai Wei Wei. In China and beyond, Ai Wei Wei becomes a figure representing Chinese avant-garde. His fame escalated after he collaborated with Herzog de Meuron on designing Beijing's Olympic Stadium.

Nothing rebellious like his former pieces. Bamboos, a symbol of old tradition and new construction, stood in an architectural fashion that lure spectators into the heart of an abstract scaffolding. Perhaps the empty chairs in the air signify Ai's attempt to immortalise the workers in the age of massive construction. Perhaps they represent the sense of loss for traditional China. We will have another chance to see his work at Venice Biennale in two weeks of time.