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 to 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. The sculpture, made from the artist's own hand-cast, embodies the deep and engaged message of Study of Perspective while meeting the glass' airy and light qualities, consequently producing a rare effect of beauty and mystic power.
“ I think there is a responsibility for any artist to protect freedom of expression. „