Valdemaras' Thoughts

More than one year since my last blog post. I think writing is very useful, especially if you don't have a very good memory. It's good to remember things. You remember them best if you write down and perhaps talk to someone about it. Writing makes thoughts more defined.

Today I was reading interviews with Ai Wei Wei, a Chinese contemporary artists, architect and political activist. Political activist in China?! Yes, he has just been released from jail after spending close to three months in there. China is so interesting. Apparently the party is pretending to be just, although it is not. It can't be, because you can't be just and restrain free speech at the same time. It's commonly thought that China is soon to be the new super power, which might overwhelm the western civilization. But can you imagine a super power without the freedom of thought? Is this possible? Can innovation and growth come from a state where there's no freedom of information?

It's very interesting to hear about China from a Chinese, who is familiar with the western culture and can explain things so that it's easy to understand for me. The book contains Ai Wei Wei's interviews conducted by Hans Ulrich Obrist.

Ai Wei Wei recently had his exhibit called Sunflower Seeds displayed at Tate Modern in the turbine hall. (In the photo on the top-left he is in Tate Modern, several months before his arrest). 100 million handcrafted and painted porcelain sunflower seeds were spread out on the ground. You can find some Ai Wei Wei's photo art at Moma's website. Very political.

P.S. I really like Obrist's idea of Brutally Early Breakfast Club. And a very good name for the club.