Ai Weiwei's New York Photographs 1983-1993 At The Asia Society And Museum

Washington Square Park Protest, 1998

Mirror, 1987

Self-Portrait, 1987

Bill Clinton at his last campaign stop in New York, 1992

Ai Weiwei's early New York Photographs (1983-1993) are currently on exhibit at the Asia Society and Museum . The photograph collection chronicles New York City in the 1980's and early 1990s when Weiwei was living in the East Village. The black and white images depict avant-garde scenes, including poetry readings and riots in Tompkins Square Park, as well as self-portraits of the artist and photos of other renowned figures. Ai Weiwei's photo exhibit runs through August 14. Asia Society is located at 725 Park Avenue between 70th and 71st Streets. 

Ai Weiwei is a prominent Chinese conceptual artist and outspoken critic of the Chinese government. His arrest on April 3, 2011 spawned international demonstrations and rallies. He has been recently released from jail but is banned from talking to the media or even posting on Twitter as a condition of his release.

The photos above were taken from the windows of the Asia Society where a few photos are being projected.

Yoshitomo Nara "Nobody's Fool" Exhibit At The ASIA SOCIETY Museum

The Asia Society on Park Avenue with Yoshitomo Nara's sculpture, "White Ghost" 

video from the Asia Society

Yoshitomo Nara: Nobody's Fool is an ongoing exhibit at the Asia Society Museum, which is located on Park Avenue and 70th Street. Nara is a Japanese artist (born 1959) who is well known for his depiction of children and animals that are associated with pop culture, particularly manga comics and animation. His work is characterized by depiction of feelings of helplessness and rage, and a sense of isolation. The exhibit runs through January 2, 2011. In conjunction with the exhibit at Asia Society, Nara's huge sculptures called "White Ghost" are also installed in two locations on Park Avenue, one in front of the Asia Society, and another one near the Park Avenue Armory. Click here for my previous post on the "White Ghost" installation. 

The Asia Society is the leading museum in presenting contemporary Asian and Asian-American art. It was founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller III to increase understanding between Americans and Asians through art exhibits, lectures, films, performances, and international conferences.

Yoshitomo Nara's WHITE GHOST Invades Park Avenue

Two giant sculptures known as "White Ghost" by Japanese pop artist Yoshitomo Nara are installed on Park Avenue, in conjunction with today's opening of Nara's exhibit at ASIA SOCIETY called "Nobody's Fool." The 12 foot-tall sculptures are made of fiberglass and steel. They are located on the Park Avenue median near the entrances to Asia Society (at 70th Street) and Park Armory (at 67th Street).

Yoshitomo Nara is a leading Japanese Neo Pop artist who is internationally known for his work depicting small children and animals in solitary settings. Nara was born in 1959 in Hirosaki in northern Japan.