AI WEIWEI HAS A PROJECT WITH 81 QUESTIONS FOR AI AND PEOPLE WORLDWIDE WHICH RAISES THE RIGHT TO QUESTION, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY ASK OR HOW NONSENSICAL THE QUESTIONS MAY BE

TEXT: PRATCHAYAPOL LERTWICHA
IMAGE & PHOTO COURTESY OF AI WEIWEI STUDIO AND CIRCA

(For Thai, press here)

“Can you describe a sunset using only numbers?”

This is one of the 81 questions posed by the rebellious Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, renowned for using art as a tool for critical and provocative societal commentary, in the project ‘Ai vs AI.’ 

Over the span of 81 days, from January 11 to March 31, 2024, the Cultural Institute of Radical Contemporary Arts (CIRCA) in London presents Ai Weiwei’s 81 questions, ranging from profound existential matters such as “What happens after death?” and “How to become invisible?, to political issues and questions so seemingly nonsensical and trivial as “What are the benefits of farting?” Every day, a new question will be posted, and the AI-generated answer will be shared on CIRCA’s social media networks at precisely 20:24. Additionally, Ai Weiwei extends these questions to the public by displaying them on digital billboards in major cities worldwide, including Piccadilly Lights in London, United Kingdom, and other locations like Seoul, Berlin, and Milan, also at 20:24 local time each day.

The rendering of the project in Seoul

The rendering of the project in Berlin

The rendering of the project in Milan

Inspired by the great Chinese poet Qu Yuan’s work 天問 (Tiānwèn),’ where 172 questions were inscribed on a temple wall over two thousand years ago, Ai Weiwei’s questions aim to reflect on human thoughts and identities in a rapidly evolving world driven by swift technological advancements, yet laden with crises and intricate problems. 

The 81-day duration of this project symbolizes the period Ai Weiwei spent detained by the Chinese government in 2011, during which he underwent intensive interrogations without being granted any rights to pose questions to the governmental officials who were interrogating him.

Ai Weiwei | Photo: Leroy Boateng © CIRCA

Photo: Leroy Boateng © CIRCA

Once again, Ai Weiwei prompts us to pause, asking and challenging society, the world, and our entrenched beliefs. This echoes his previous iconic works, such as ‘Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn’ or the photograph of his middle finger in front of the Forbidden City. However, this particular piece distinguishes itself from all his previous works because it marks the first instance where the veteran artist employs AI as a narrative element in artistic creation.

“This is not about freedom of speech. This is about freedom of questions,” Ai Weiwei stated on the concept of his latest work.

“Everybody has the right to ask questions.”

To view the work’s online version, visit instagram.com/circa.art  and  circa.art/artist/ai-weiwei-ai-vs-ai