The importance of Ai

Ai Wei Wei has to be one of the most important artists of our day. His involvement in the political scene in China as well as his fame as an artist make him a complicated issue for the Chinese government to deal with. The love-hate relationship between Chinese politicians and the outspoken artist are evident from Mr. Ai's recent house arrest to prevent him from attending the demolition of his Shanghai studio....which was given to him by the government itself.

Mr. Ai is very frank about his understanding of the reason for his house arrest, saying that they will not abide "anything they [government] don't understand, or will be out of their control".