Friday, April 15, 2011

Art circle reaction to AWW



Just returned from an art gathering. And found out there's a really big range of reactions on the situation, from deep frustration/anger to cynicism. Some are literally 'wearing a badge' to support the cause. Some are rallying for HK artists to come together - perhaps for the first time. There's an unspoken tension - is the AWW situation dividing the art community, between those who believe in his cause/action, and those who think its nothing more than a performance?

Its tough to say with certainty whats going on - so did AWW commit 'economic crimes'? Did he work his way to this step, fully expecting his eventual arrest, and this is all part of his plan/'performance'? Whats going on in the minds of the govt - surely there's a sense of desperation and they must have felt out of options, before they resort to 'using a canon to kill a fly', in words of AWW's mother? When probably the 'economic crime' accusation will suffice, why use the propaganda newspapers to also post news of him marrying twice, copying works of other artist, etc?

Artists comment also on the 'white fear'. Will we all self-censor our work? Is it safe to work in China anymore? If art is inherently political, what is the future of art in China? For those in the same circle of friends as AWW, this is cutting it real close - if it can happen to him, will it happen to me too, esp. when most will not get the same level of international attention, and hence 'protection' as AWW, making matter worse?

Did HK police overreact with the AWW graffiti clean-up? Did the West jump on the bandwagon too quickly to criticise the Chinese government, now that they have a 'martyr' in the form of AWW? Are Asian organisations all too keen to 'follow' their Western counterparts and values, without developing their own thinking on this?

Indeed, what is the core issue now that the situation has evolved so much in the past 12 days - is it freedom of speech, political suppression, unlawful arrest? Has the agenda been hijacked - at least in HK - by local activists and politicians as yet another way to protest against China?

Or perhaps, this is AWW's ultimate victory now: quote from an article in Time on the topic: "Its an irony that Ai would appreciate: his criticism of the Chinese state can be heard loudest now that he cant be heard at all"

So, who's afraid of AWW?

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