Descending+Light--Ai+Weiwei

www.timeout.com/.../ 654.x600.art.weiwei.rev2.jpg
 * Descending Light**

Title: Descending Light Date: 2007 Artist: Ai Weiwei Country: China Culture: Chinese Period: Contempoary, Modern Size: 156" x 180" x 268" Medium: brass, crystal, and electric bulbs
 * Identification**

Ai Weiwei's 2007 Descending Light is a brilliant sculptural achievement echoing his earlier chandelier forms like, //Chandelier//, 2002, and //Fountain of Light//, 2007. The form has now buckled and appears to have collasped under its own weight and pressure as a visual analogy to the conditions being seen in modern China as the country surges ahead at any cost to become an industrialized, first world country. Weiwei demonstrates his understanding of shape, form, and color as the piece revolves around the symbolicly Chinese red and the use of concentric circles uninterupted by the apparent collaspe.
 * Introduction**

Consisting of 7 tiered layers of brass framed concentric circles, 60,000 ruby red crystals and electric light bulbs, //Descending Light,// fully explores the twisted shape of a fallen chandelier. Frozen in a posture of great distress, the massive form fully supports itself against the floor as gravity seemingly pulls it upward during its epic fall capturing the moment before impact and its complete destruction.
 * Descriptive analysis**

Color is a central focus in this work. The use of the [|thoroughly Chinese red] reminds the viewer of the bold red star of communism first used by the Russian communist and socialist parties that was later adopted by the Chinese. The color red is a symbol of China; besides its association to [|communism], it is the color of celebration and festivities. Red also represents the blood spilled by the Chinese people for the sake of their republic. It is the color of the sun according to Chinese mythology. Complementing the red is the delicate brass shining warmly with a metalic sheen that provides a contrasting visual element from the prismatic quality of the glass crystals. Like the rising Eastern sun, these two colors combined create a unique veiwing experience as warm rays radiate through the crystals, via the inner electric blubs, reminding us that even in a fallen and comprimised posture, China still exemplifies great beauty.

The title of this sculpture refers to its geometric construction in which the light appears at the end of a series of diminishing concentric circles. The use of brilliant red crystals is deliberate. The crystals used in this piece were made in [|Zhiejiang province], the source of crystals used for the chandeliers in [|China's Great Hall of the People]. In its buckled and distressed posture, it is theorized that it represents the fall of the established order of China as it collapses inwardly on itself.The shape and the placement of this piece also resembles the horn of plenty, the artist may be refering to the rise of materialism and [|capitalism] in current China and its influence on the masses. Ai Weiwei expresses his criticism of the current economic, social and political unrest in China through his art.

Chandelier, 2002 www.maryboonegallery.com/. ../ai/Chandelier.jpg
 * Other artworks by the artist**:

Fountain of Light, 2007 glasscentralcanberra.files.wordpress.com/ 2008...

The People's Great Hall--Ceiling detail

Born to an exiled chinese poet, raised in a labor camp in China's remote northwestern region of Xinjiang during the [|Cultural Revolution], Ai Weiwei is known for producing artwork that focuses on China's cultural history, political system and current economic situation. Ai Weiwei produces traditional art, performance art and conceptual art.
 * Artist Information**

Ai Weiwei. "Not so Wei out." Artnet Magazine []
 * Bibliography**

Ai Weiwei Mary Boone Gallery Exhibit Press Release []

[]

Broucher, Brian. "Ai Weiwei at Mary Boone". Art in America []

Thea, Carolee. "Making Everything: A conversation with Ai Weiwei". Sculpture Magazine []

Tinari, Philip, Press release artilcle, Galerieursmeile. []

Grosenick, Uta and Casper H. Schubbe, eds. //China Art Book//. Koln: Dumont, 2007.

Smith, Karen. //Nine Lives: The Birth of Avant-garde Art in New China//. Zurich: Scalo, 2006. UM

Sullivan, Michael. //Art and Artists of Twentieth Century China//. California: Berkeley, Unversity of California Press, 1996.

Tong, Dian. //China!: New Art and Artists//. Atglen: Schiffer Publishing ltd., 2005.

Lesson Plan (NIU Format) **DAILY LESSON PLAN** ** Lesson Title: 3-Demonsional form collage ** **Grade Level: 7-12** **State Goals:** VA.9-12.4: Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and cultures VA.9-12.3 Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas

** Objectives: ** 1. Given the introduction of the the artist, Ai Weiwie and his 3D sculpture, students will describe the features and interpret the artist's work. 2. Given the introduction to Dogpile.com, Polyvore.com, and slideshare.net, students will select 3-5 3-Dimensional forms online, create a lamp collage, and share the files by using these two sites.

// Notes: 1) Link criteria to objectives, 2) Rubrics, etc. should be included as attachments. //
 * Assessment Criteria: **

1. Students will describe clearly the features of the artist's and their selected 3D forms. 2. Students will accurately create their collage files by using Polyovre.com and Dogpile.com and share the files on slideshare.net.

Part 1- Introduction of artist Ai Weiwei. Part 2- Learning web 2.0 tools (polyvore.com,slideshare.net and dogpile.com) Part 3- Create final project. (Note to teacher; give yourself and an extra day or two just in case students need more time to learn the web 2.0 tools. *Make sure that thecomputer will allow you to install toolbars; this is necessary for polyvore.
 * ** Teacher Activities ** || ** Student Activities ** ||
 * **Introduction:** 10 minutes- Teacher will discuss the project in 3 parts:

**Asssignment:** 1.Teacher will critique the art piece with students created by Ai Weiwei by using Microsoft PowerPoint to display information about the artist. 2. Teacher will discuss the length of time for each project. Do not assign students to work in groups. They need to build their individual confidence. 3. Teacher organizes discussion about the art piece and artist. 4.Teacher talks about the purpose and functions of Powerpoint, slideshare.net, dogpile.com and polyvore.com. 5. Instruct students on how to open accounts and to use all the features for each web 2.0 tool. ( Include the time and task for students to create accounts for these online services) **Development:** How ever long it takes, accuracy is vital. 1. Teacher explains the assignment. 2. Teacher will direct students to search the internet using //Dogpile.com,// to search for images of objects that could be used to make lamps. 4. Teacher demonstrates how to create a collage with Polyvore.com to create a collaged lamp. 5. Teacher will instruct students to upload and share the creation on the Slideshare.net. 6. Teacher will review and explore the functions of the Slidshare community.

**Conclusion:** Take time to effectively critique each student's work 1. Review the functions of the polyvore.com and Slideshare.com 2. Discuss the educational application in art education. || Part One: Ai Weiwei 1. Students take notes during the presentation of Ai Weiwei. 2. The students will have a discussion about the artist and the art piece.

Part Two: Learning web 2.0 tools (Powerpoint, Slideshare.net, dogpile.com, polyvore.com)

Follow the teachers instructions for each of the web 2.0 tools.

Part Three: Final project 1. Search for three-dimensional images by using dogpile.com that can be used to create a functional lamp. Use your notes from the presentation for guidance.

2.Copy these images into Power Point and create a presentation of your images for the class. Discuss why you chose them (color, size, shape etc) and how they will function to form a lamp.

3. Take notes during your critique of your presentation of other students comments. These will help develop your lamp.

4. Create account in Polyvore. Use this site to edit images that were found online.

5. Image capture the screen and save it to your powerpoint presentation.

6.Upload your presentation to slideshare.net.

7. Students present their project to the class using slide share.net

8.Students participate in review discussion. ||

// Note: All background information, theory content, and handouts should be listed below and included as attachments. //
 * Teaching Resources Needed to Support the Lesson **

[needs a rubric]

Computer lab with internet connection. Possibly software download clearance to install some software for this lesson. Computer, Internet, Projector, Microsoft Microsoft Power Point, Internet, (Projector? How will students present?)
 * Art Materials Necessary for the Lesson: **

[ Rewrite this part.]

** Critical Comments and Reflections: ** // (Problems, successes, and what to think about for next lesson) //

// The computer will not allow students to upload tool bars. Therefore Polyvore can only be used on // // personal computers. //

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