The 2010 exhibition at Tate Modern in London provided a unique interaction for the public to walk directly on the artist’s art - hand painted porcelain sunflower seeds. 1,600 Jingdezhen village workers spent two years making 100 million sunflower seeds that weighed a total of 150 tons.
The exhibition was open to public for free, many stole a seed and even sold them on eBay. Ai was quoted as saying he’d do the same if in their shoes. The installation was closed within 48 hours of opening because the porcelain dust posted a health hazard.
The exhibition was open to public for free, many stole a seed and even sold them on eBay. Ai was quoted as saying he’d do the same if in their shoes. The installation was closed within 48 hours of opening because the porcelain dust posted a health hazard.
In a time when mass production and “Made in China” art scapegoats of the global economy, Ai’s art prompts the viewer to reexamine the context of art the dismissal of china’s contribution as the world’s factory, and the uncertainty and superficiality of value.
In January 2011, Sotheby’s announced they were to auction a sack of the exhibition seed for upwards of $190,000.