I cannot get enough of Ai Wei Wei. I barely finished my visit in Grand Rapids I was off to see him again. This time at the Museum of Contemporary Photography - Columbia College.
I was underwhelmed when I first walked in. A little disappointed. Some of the walls were covered floor to ceiling of photographs taken with a cellphone. I know that he (WeiWei) is a photograph enthusiast but we all are. I joke that he is the original selfie king. Due to his continuous defiance of government surveillance, Wei Wei has taken up documenting almost every moment of his life. Something about this approach makes it less sacred. It is almost as if as soon as the photograph is taken - it loses its value. Yes, the moment of time has been captured but was it a moment worth remembering?
Located upstairs were some of his vintage photos. He moved to New York immediately after graduating from the Beijing Academy and was in company with some of the most influential Chinese artists including Tan Dan. I use a digital DSLR but these photos utilized a standard point and shoot - Ren Hang used the same approach.
I am not opposed to using a 35 however my DSLR gives me so much more range. Not to mention getting 35MM film developed is so expensive. You may spend a small amount on the camera but you will make up for it in cost on the film.
If anything the timeless look it brings to the photos along with the silver gelatin finish always makes me consider. Never say never. Until next time.