From Gongren to Gongmin: A Comparative Analysis of Ai Weiwei's Sunflower Seeds and Nian

ABSTRACT

Through a comparison of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei's two recent projects, Sunflower Seeds (2010) and Nian (2010), the author identifies two models of collective art-making. In one model, the production of the art object is situated in the private sphere; those participating in the production process are hired as workers (gongren in Chinese). In the other model, participants engage as citizens (gongmin in Chinese); the artwork serves to transform private opinions into public expressions. The author argues that the second model contributes to the development of the public sphere in China.

摘要

笔者通过对中国艺术家艾未未最近的两个作品，《葵花子》（ 2010 2010）和 ）《念》（ 2010 2010）的比较研究，得出了集体艺术创作的两种模式。在第一种 ）模式中，艺术品的生产被置于私人领域中， 那些生产过程的参与者是雇用 的工人。在另一种模式中，参与者成为了公民；艺术品成为公开表达私人意 见的渠道。笔者认为，第二种模式有助于发展中国的公共领域。

KEYWORDS:

• Chinese contemporary art
• public sphere
• Ai Weiwei
• participation

关键词:

• 中国当代艺术
• 公共领域
• 艾未未
• 参与性