Releases: “Ai Weiwei: New York 1983 – 1993” Book

Released in conjunction with Ai Weiwei’s photographic exhibition, currently running from October 15th 2011 to March 18th 2012 at Martin-Gropius-Bau in Berlin, Ai Weiwei: New York 1983-1993 chronicles the ten year period spent by the then unknown Chinese immigrant living in a tiny apartment in the East Village. Capturing the essence of New York through the lens of a youth enjoying freedom for the first time, more than 10,000 photos emerged during this period. Personally curated by Ai himself, the 220 photos selected offer an intimate glimpse into a artistically and politically exciting period seen through the eyes of an artist from China. The body of work is particularly compelling, as it deals with the beginning of his artistic career and highlights many of the themes he would later explore. Published by Distanz Verlag, the softcover 336-page book – offered in both in a museum edition (28 €uros) and a standard edition (39,95 €uros) – contains reproductions of all of the displayed photographs as well as essays and interviews.

Check out sample of the photographs after the jump.