In 2006; even though he could barely type; Chinas most famous artist started blogging. For more than three years; Ai Weiwei turned out a steady stream of scathing social commentary; criticism of government policy; thoughts on art and architecture; and autobiographical writings. He wrote about the Sichuan earthquake (and posted a list of the schoolchildren who died because of the governments "tofu-dregs engineering"); reminisced about Andy Warhol and the East Village art scene; described the irony of being investigated for "fraud" by the Ministry of Public Security; made a modest proposal for tax collection. Then; on June 1; 2009; Chinese authorities shut down the blog. This book offers a collection of Ais notorious online writings translated into English -- the most complete; public documentation of the original Chinese blog available in any language.The New York Times called Ai "a figure of Warholian celebrity." He is a leading figure on the international art scene; a regular in museums and biennials; but in China he is a manifold and controversial presence: artist; architect; curator; social critic; justice-seeker. He was a consultant on the design of the famous "Birds Nest" stadium but called for an Olympic boycott; he received a Chinese Contemporary Art "lifetime achievement award" in 2008 but was beaten by the police in connection with his "citizen investigation" of earthquake casualties in 2009. Ai Weiweis Blog documents Ais passion; his genius; his hubris; his righteous anger; and his vision for China.
#1878591 in eBooks 2011-02-08 2011-02-08File Name: B004Z16P40
Review
3 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Not worth the money or the time and effort to order.By Phyllis SandlerI ordered this as a gift without any wrapping; however. the book arrived with the bill. Actually. this was a good thing as the book looked as if it should have cost $5.00-$10.00. I was embarrassed. I have bought other paperbacks that were lovely.and they were appropriate to give as gifts. This was not the case for a $45.00 book. I am sorry I gave it as a gift. I would really give it zero stars. but that is not an option.2 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Good info. but no picturesBy MacThis book was a gift and as it was a special order. I didnt see it in advance. Was very disappointed that there were NO pictures included.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. More light reading than a lsquo;reference bookrdquo;. With just two short pages of footnotes ndash; and no graphicsBy Steve RammMore light reading than a lsquo;reference bookrdquo;. With just two short pages of footnotes ndash; and no graphicsNOTE: This is a review of the 2011 printing. An ldquo;updated and Revisedrdquo; edition will be published in April 2017 and may very well be different.This 231-page softbound book was written by Stewart F. Lane who was a two-time Tony Award-winning producer. Less of a reference book. this easy to read volume spends early chapters on the Yiddish Theater community which formed in Lower New York when the immigrants arrived at the end of the 19th Century and then moved uptown to form Vaudeville theaters. Many of the vaudeville stars began playing to Jewish customers who patronized the hotels and resorts in the Catskill Mountains. Then they headed for Broadway. In the 1960s ldquo;Fiddler on the Roofrdquo; opened and led to the somewhat less-successful musical ldquo;The Rothschildsrdquo;.Lanr writes in short segments about the theater producers. the composers and the actors. The book ends with the mega hit show ldquo;Spamalotrdquo; and Lane provides the complete lyrics to ldquo;You Wonrsquo;t Succeed on Broadway (unless you have some Jews)rdquo;.There is an index for you to look to see ldquo;who was really Jewishrdquo; (and this will help you find the page where you can get the person ldquo;realrdquo; name. As I said earlier Lane didnrsquo;t do a lot of ldquo;researchrdquo; because the meager Chapter Notes fill just two pages. There is also a three-page ldquo;Bibliographyrdquo; and a short one-page ldquo;Further Reading Listrdquo;.I was really surprised that there were no graphics (photos. charts. ads) in this volume.Itrsquo;s a fun read. and I learned a few things but it falls short on being a true ldquo;reference bookrdquo;. something that the publisher ndash; McFarland ndash; usually does very wellI hope you found this review both informative and helpful.Steve Rammldquo;Anything Phonographicrdquo;
