Acconci Studio + Ai Weiwei: A Collaborative Project Finissage: (Saturday) 3 July 2010, 7pm Exhibition: 8 May – 4 July 2010 Venue: Para/Site Art Space, G/F, 4 Po Yan Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Curator: Alvaro Rodriguez Fominaya
Left- Acconci Studio (Vito Acconci, Adrien Allred): PROJECT FOR A VOID OVER TRAIN-TRACKS (TANGIBLE AIR -WALKING THROUGH A VOLUME OF AIR), The Gurtel, Vienna 2009 Right- Ai Weiwei: Rooted Upon, Soft Ground and Fairytale, Installation at Haus der Kunst, Munich,
Germany, 2009
Para/Site Art Space presents a collaborative new project by Acconci Studio and Ai Weiwei. This is the first time that both artists create a work together, and for this purpose they have been invited by Para/Site Art Space to use Hong Kong as the background of this exciting experience. This exhibition engages two artists/architects with parallel trajectories, having both started from an interest in performance, and moved later on to architecture. These “touching points” in both of them will act as common ground to develop a new body of works. This innovative approach to exhibition making can only be practiced at an organization like Para/Site Art Space that operates independently without the constraints of larger organizations. Both artists have never met before, although they mutually admire each other, making this cooperative process a sort of “blind date” for the artists. The project transforms the gallery space into a 3D grid, where both studios develop a work in progress. The installation will be in constant mutation and accumulation during the two months that it is open to the public. New works, models, drawings and various materials are added through the period of the exhibition, and it is the result of the ongoing discussion between Ai Weiwei, Vito Acconci and their studios. The result is a multilayered installation that defies orthodox definitions and approaches. The installation includes among other elements a 12 channel sound installation designed by Acconci Studio, 128 photographs selected/shot by Ai Weiwei, architectural models and texts. Ai Weiwei has said the following about this project: “The collaboration with Vito Acconci at Parasite Art Space is an effort in figuring out ways to collaborate, ways (of) defining the actual process of working together. Through the development of a gallery project we are to think the 1