At the core of his production, Ai Weiwei investigates and questions institutions and regimes by measuring the human existence and human condition in relation to economic, political, and social forces.

 

The middle finger has been a recurrent theme in his artistic oeuvre. His photographic series Study of Perspective (shot from 1995 — 2003) shows the artist flipping the middle finger in front of iconic landmarks across the globe. The gesture represents a universal and concise statement of political opposition and the rejection of any form of oppression against human freedom.

 

This iconic gesture has been translated into an equally iconic Murano glass sculpture, and the result is a powerful yet elegant object. Murano glass, known for its centuries-old craftsmanship and artistic excellence, holds historical significance as a material associated with both fragility and resilience — qualities that parallel Ai Weiwei’s ongoing dialogue on freedom and resistance. The delicate yet bold nature of Murano glass enhances the tension between defiance and vulnerability in Study of Perspective in Glass (2020), reinforcing the artist’s vision through a material that is both ancient and contemporary. The sculpture, made from the artist's own hand-cast, embodies the deep and engaging message of Study of Perspective while meeting the glass' airy and light qualities, consequently producing a rare effect of beauty.

“ If there is no freedom of expression, then the beauty of life is lost. Participation in a society is not an artistic choice, it’s a need „

—Ai Weiwei