Ai Weiwei is a contemporary hero to me. He is an artist, he expresses himself, nevercompromised with Chinese government and therefore endured all the consequences. I was so touched by his intallation at the 2013 Biennale in Venice,  I felt I wanted to know more about him, so I was very happy when I found out about a photo and video exhbition about him in Torino.

Around Ai Weiwei. Photographs 1983-2016 opened today hosted by Camera – Centro Italiano per la Fotografia and it is for sure one of my main goals for this weekend because it helps the audience to enter his world. How is the life of a guy like him? What are the things that attract his attention in his daily routine? Does he have a routine? In short, who is Ai Weiwei?

Curated by Davide Quadrio, it has been supported by Reda, one of the top wool fabrics mills from Biella, another thing that makes me happy. Camera and Reda joined forces when Reda celebrated its 150th anniversary  in 2015 and it is great to see the partnership going on. They both believed in what they were doing and thet are making it grow. I like it when it’s a question of commitment.

On top, Lesvos Jan. 27th 2016. Slider,  Beijin Photographs 1993-2003, last dinner in East Village 1994. Soft ground, 2014. 1_Beijing Photographs 1993-2003, The Forbidden City during the SARS Epidemic, 2003. Ai Weiwei, Lesvos Jan. 27th 2016. New York Photographs 1983-1993, Profile of Duchamp, Sunflower Seeds, 1983.