Ai Weiwei's Zodiac Is a Mystical Memory Tour
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As the Year of the Dragon begins, renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei unveils “Zodiac,” a unique graphic memoir that intertwines his personal experiences with elements of myth and creativity. The work features a blend of actual events, such as his encounters with Beat poet Allen Ginsberg in 1980s Greenwich Village, alongside fictional scenarios like a debate with Xi Jinping, the leader of China. Each segment of the memoir explores Ai's interpretation of the traits associated with the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. The detailed illustrations by Gianluca Costantini, combined with Elettra Stamboulis’s dialogue, serve to broaden Ai’s enduring advocacy for freedom of expression, reaching a fresh audience through this new artistic format. In a recent video conversation with Jonathan Landreth from Berlin, Ai reflected on themes of family, music, and the passage of time.
A zodiac cycle ago, in 2012, you had just been released from prison and were weary of the oppressive atmosphere in Beijing. You once described Twitter as your city. Now, having relocated to Berlin, Cambridge, and Portugal, where do you find your sense of belonging today?
At that time, Twitter was my only outlet for expression amidst the constraints I faced in China. Since my departure in 2015, circumstances have evolved. The pressure I experienced in China was immense, and upon entering what is often referred to as the free world, Twitter became less significant—merely one of many tools at my disposal.
I don’t consider any place to be home. Not China, nor anywhere else. It’s a peculiar feeling. I recently returned from New York, and I don’t identify any of these cities as home. Home, to me, is a mental space where you can close your eyes and envision familiar streets and names from your childhood. None of these locations evoke that sense of familiarity for me.
In “Zodiac,” you share the tale of the Jade Emperor and the creation of the calendar with your son, Ai Lao. What insights did you gain from discussing the concept of time?
Some argue that time is merely an illusion, which can evoke both pain and joy. People relate to time differently; some dwell on the past, while others grapple with the present, and some may feel devoid of a future. Explaining the essence of time is complex. The younger generation requires context when we discuss it. I can recount my experiences in Xinjiang or the period when I returned to China from New York to care for my dying father. Events are essential to convey the concept of time. My son is approaching 15, and his understanding of time will be shaped by his experiences in China, Germany, and England. That’s how he will come to grasp it.
