Ai Weiwei: New York Photographs

Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei lived in New York City for a decade beginning in 1983. He was part of the first generation of Chinese students allowed out of their country since the founding of the PRC. Ai took over 10,000 photographs during this period, documenting the experiences of his peers and a transformative era for the city itself. These photographs remained largely untouched and undeveloped until 2008, when they were cataloged and curated for a show in the Three Shadows Photography Art Centre in Beijing.

This 20-minute video was produced and directed by Alison Klayman and ran with the exhibition in Beijing from January through April of 2009. It includes interviews with Ai Weiwei and behind the scenes footage of the show. Also featured is Three Shadows founder/contemporary Chinese photographer RongRong and curator Stephanie Tung.