“With Wind” is an art installation by Ai Weiwei that depicted a traditional Chinese dragon kite made of individual kites. Weiwei used the dragon to represent personal freedom. Interestingly, the individual kites that make up the dragon’s body carried quotations from imprisoned or exiled artists. Weiwei collaborated with Chinese artisans to create the handmade kites which is a diminishing craft in China. The significance of this theme is furthered as the location of the installation is at the New Industries Building at Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, California. The placement of the installation is suggested to symbolize the contradiction of freedom and restriction and cultural pride and national shame. Ai Weiwei is a Beijing-based artist and activist that combines multiple mediums of art and social criticisms.
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