to be looked at (2024) is an aluminium sculpture by ai weiwei, published by avant arte in an edition of 200. the work reflects the artist’s ability to communicate complex ideas through deceptively simple forms, using its title and sculptural presence to explore the relationship between looking, being observed and the viewer.
produced in powder-coated aluminium, to be looked at immediately invites questions about visibility and observation. the title is deliberately open-ended, encouraging multiple interpretations rather than offering a single answer. there is a simple tension at the heart of the work: are we looking at the sculpture, or is the sculpture somehow asking us to consider what it means to be looked at ourselves?
given ai weiwei’s long-standing engagement with politics, individual freedom and surveillance, it is possible to read to be looked at as a commentary on life in an age where observation has become an increasingly familiar part of everyday life. at the same time, the sculpture turns that relationship back towards the viewer, encouraging us to think about not only what we choose to look at, but how the act of looking can itself involve power.
what i particularly like is the way the idea remains accessible without the sculpture needing to become visually complicated. the clean, crisp form gives the work an immediate presence, while the title opens up a much wider set of questions once you spend time with it.
beautifully fabricated from powder-coated aluminium, the work has a distinctly contemporary sculptural quality that separates it from ai weiwei’s editioned prints. for me, that combination of strong visual simplicity and conceptual ambiguity is what makes to be looked at particularly engaging in person.
ai weiwei is one of the most internationally recognised contemporary artists of his generation. his multidisciplinary practice explores culture, history, politics, human rights and the relationship between tradition and modernity. his sculptures, installations and editions are held in major institutional and private collections worldwide.
this edition of to be looked at is presented in mint condition, retained in its original avant arte packaging as issued by the publisher, and has never been displayed.
collection: luck 03
artist: ai weiwei
title: to be looked at
year: 2024
medium: powder-coated aluminium sculpture
publisher: avant arte
edition: edition of 200
dimensions: 15.2 × 35 × 17.5 cm
signature: signature and edition number engraved on reverse
condition: mint
packaging: retained in the original avant arte packaging as issued by the publisher
display history: never displayed
delivery
complimentary personal delivery is available within brighton & hove. for uk and international orders, we arrange appropriate specialist art delivery and can provide fully insured, tracked delivery where required.
delivery is additional to the artwork price.
please contact us for a quotation before purchasing.
to be looked at (2024) is an aluminium sculpture by ai weiwei, published by avant arte in an edition of 200. the work reflects the artist’s ability to communicate complex ideas through deceptively simple forms, using its title and sculptural presence to explore the relationship between looking, being observed and the viewer.
produced in powder-coated aluminium, to be looked at immediately invites questions about visibility and observation. the title is deliberately open-ended, encouraging multiple interpretations rather than offering a single answer. there is a simple tension at the heart of the work: are we looking at the sculpture, or is the sculpture somehow asking us to consider what it means to be looked at ourselves?
given ai weiwei’s long-standing engagement with politics, individual freedom and surveillance, it is possible to read to be looked at as a commentary on life in an age where observation has become an increasingly familiar part of everyday life. at the same time, the sculpture turns that relationship back towards the viewer, encouraging us to think about not only what we choose to look at, but how the act of looking can itself involve power.
what i particularly like is the way the idea remains accessible without the sculpture needing to become visually complicated. the clean, crisp form gives the work an immediate presence, while the title opens up a much wider set of questions once you spend time with it.
beautifully fabricated from powder-coated aluminium, the work has a distinctly contemporary sculptural quality that separates it from ai weiwei’s editioned prints. for me, that combination of strong visual simplicity and conceptual ambiguity is what makes to be looked at particularly engaging in person.
ai weiwei is one of the most internationally recognised contemporary artists of his generation. his multidisciplinary practice explores culture, history, politics, human rights and the relationship between tradition and modernity. his sculptures, installations and editions are held in major institutional and private collections worldwide.
this edition of to be looked at is presented in mint condition, retained in its original avant arte packaging as issued by the publisher, and has never been displayed.
collection: luck 03
artist: ai weiwei
title: to be looked at
year: 2024
medium: powder-coated aluminium sculpture
publisher: avant arte
edition: edition of 200
dimensions: 15.2 × 35 × 17.5 cm
signature: signature and edition number engraved on reverse
condition: mint
packaging: retained in the original avant arte packaging as issued by the publisher
display history: never displayed
delivery
complimentary personal delivery is available within brighton & hove. for uk and international orders, we arrange appropriate specialist art delivery and can provide fully insured, tracked delivery where required.
delivery is additional to the artwork price.
please contact us for a quotation before purchasing.
