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In December 2008 Alison Klayman started videotaping Ai Weiwei, the Chinese contemporary artist and political activist, who uses his art to openly criticise the Chinese government. First time director, Klayman documented Weiwei’s preparation for major museum exhibitions while also witnessing and documenting intimate exchanges with family members and his increasingly public clashes with the Chinese government.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie’s Christina Finn, Klayman states her portrait of the artist looks at the character and charisma of this controversial artist while also providing a glimpse into contemporary China.
MY EXPERIENCE WAS a unique one. I was an aspiring documentary film-maker living in China ever since I had graduated.
My roommate in Beijing was curating an exhibition of Ai Weiwei’s photographs for a local gallery. She asked if wanted to make a film to accompany the show. I was a hopeful film-maker – I had just bought a camera so I jumped at the opportunity to get my feet wet obviously.
I was tasked to make a twenty minute video about photos he took in New York in the 1980s. He took over 10,000 photos during that time period.
While filming we got to know each other well and we got on. We discussed many issues such as censorship, his blog and his thoughts on the government.
My project just kind of evolved – I was accumulating a lot of material on him and it was he himself who came up with the idea of a documentary almost. He said to someone “well Alison is making documentary about me” – so I was like – awesome, we are on the same page here, as that is exactly what I wanted to do. It was good that it came about naturally.
He is so charismatic and I wanted that to come across onscreen. There had never been anything in depth done on him before, a few articles on his work and controversies but nothing that really conveyed his character.
The first few weeks working with him, I could have been more informed, but I just came at him with an open mind, a limited background and a lot of questions like – why are you so fearless, why do you do the things you do, because it was plain as day that he was so bold in his actions that he was taking risks speaking about China in ways that I had never encountered while living there.
I had lived there for a couple of years; I had spent a lot of time with Chinese people, so his attitude and opinions caught my attention. He told me that he was actually not fearless and that in fact he was very fearful. That is why he acts brave and does what he does. He told me that he recognised the danger and that it comes to him just like it comes to anyone else and that it’s why he feels he has to do what he does; he has to shine a light on things.
Learning about his biography, there were experiences that seemed to really impact on his life and set the stage for him to become someone who is very aware of how his political system can harm an individual and he recognises the flaws of the system.
Ai Weiwei painting the ceramic pieces that were featured in his Sunflower Seeds exhibition in the TATE Modern, London. (Image via Light House Cinema)
While I was filming I was always aware that there was a risk that was always there. One of the first questions I asked him when I first met him was “why are you not in jail?” His explanation was “I don’t know, maybe I will be tomorrow”. He is certainly not someone who lives his life like someone is out to get you; he doesn’t seem to be worried and acts fearless in that way.
During the shooting of the documentary I watched things escalate. He told me about his earthquake campaign and around the earthquake anniversary I figured that he was going to do something big.
(Following the catastrophic earthquake in the Sichuan Province, Weiwei had begun posting photographs of the disaster on his blog and discussing how poor construction of schools in Sichuan led to the deaths of thousands of students. The Chinese government released the number of students killed, without any names attached.)
Weiwei released the names of the kids – his blog was shut down and he had surveillance cameras put on him, he had plain clothes officers following him. There was already that escalation but when he had to have his operation in Munich that was the pinnacle for me where I realised what he was doing had danger attached.
(Weiwei created the installation Remembering on the façade of the Haus der Kunst. It was constructed from nine thousand children’s backpacks. They spelled out the sentence “She lived happily for seven years in this world” in Chinese characters – this was a quote from a mother whose child died in the Sichuan Province earthquake. Two months before the opening of this exhibition Weiwei suffered a severe beating from Chinese police in Chengdu. He underwent surgery for cerebral haemorrhage in a Munich hospital four weeks after being beaten.)
(Via Light House Cinema)
His injuries in Chengdu were very serious, but to see the reaction of the art world crowd was the first time I had really felt his fame in a way. That trip was definitely like – wow – this is more than just an interesting story about a man who will transform people’s ideas of China, there was actually going to be some action and I am going to have to tell that story.
On 3 April 2011, Weiwei was arrested at Beijing’s airport while waiting for a flight to Hong Kong. The Chinese government has declared he was under investigation for alleged economic crimes.
At that point I had already stopped finished shooting. I had been in the US editing and we were hoping to have a rough cut to show Weiwei, he was supposed to come a month later to an opening of his exhibition. When I heard what had happened, that he had been arrested, it was totally shocking. Even though you know that the risk was always there, that was an unprecedented strike against him.
The documentary ends with this closing chapter in his life but his immediate future is unclear. The big question is, is this a blip, will he ever be able to go back to normal?
I think there is hope. I hope he does get back his passport and things will relax and he can keep doing the things he does in China, without any guarantee of safety of course, but that is what he wants to do.
Alison Klayman and Ai Weiwei. (Via Light House Cinema)
If he can’t keep creating and travelling, as travelling is vital for his career and the art that he does, as no one sees his art in China as he can’t exhibit there, so traveling is a pretty big part of his life. They have not yet returned his passport and they are not indicating if they will. He is still in the position where he does not know what future holds, but it is important that it gets resolved and soon, so that he can keep on creating, not just for China but for the world.
(Via YouTube/sff)
Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry is now screening exclusively in the Light House Cinema, Dublin. To book tickets please click here.
Michaela, well said & well done in dealing with your problem, I’m sure that in time your anxiety will disappear all together. I hope people reading this will be inspired to take control of what ever issues that may have. Your very brave to talk about it
A bit like telling someone who has low self esteem that they should have confidence. If it only it was that easy.
Or like telling someone who doesn’t have enough money to “just make more money”. Or telling someone in a wheelchair to get off his arse and walk.
Some of you commenting should be ashamed of yourselves. In 2015, it’s disgusting that people still have a backward way of thinking about mental illness. And then to think why suicide is so high in young people? I say fair play to her and it doesn’t bloody matter what her “writing style” was like. Ffs some people need a slap of reality
Well said.
I think everyone gets anxious to some
Degree or other. I did a lot years ago but over time it gets better. Hasn’t completely gone away but if you surround yourself with people you care for you and remove the negative people it turns out alright
I am quite an anxious person..always worrying about the future and possible outcomes. I hate change but it’s inevitable. I envy people who can just go with the flow. So I under stand some of what Michaela is saying..you can’t just snap out of it. There was a guy on with Neil Delamere on today fm today talking abt mindfulness ..I found some of what he was saying helpful. Getting a grip on my anxiety is a work in progress..
Anxiety is part of being human. The more sensitive the person the more anxious quite often. Not a bad thing either as it is our natural instincts and often inborn intelligence coming to the fore when we know something is not as it should be etc. Read Gabor Matés work dealing with anxiety, depression, addiction and so on. http://drgabormate.com/
What we have grown up to believe as true is far from it re so called “Mental illnesses”". Modern western medicine and psychology is grossly corrupt. Best of luck to you in your search and take very good care. Grá Mór!
Kudos.
It’s a very difficult illness it can happen so fast but it can be cured in time the healing is slow but eventually will happen the way of thinking will change for the good .
Very brave of you to write this. You wrote it from the heart and experience. People who don’t understand won’t get it. But there are many who can relate to every word you wrote. Also slowly people are becoming more accepting but there’s a very long way to go. The comments on here prove that beyond doubt.
You failed to highlight things people can do to help those with anxiety beyond the classic ‘just get over it’ which you so regularly repeated. Although I hope this rant made you feel better, that’s all it was.
Like mist in the journal, it’s a complaints forum not a let’s see what we can do to fix it kinda place.
They just need some one to listen
The best way to communicate is just to listen.
One of the best pieces of advise my mother gave me years ago was ‘Do your best, it’s not the end of the world’. I think if you put all lives woes into that context, you’ll do just fine. This is coming from someone who used to worry and get wound up about stuff.
Seems a bit of a self fulfilling prophecy. Getting anxious over getting anxious later.
At Michaela Dunne..Fairplay to You for opening up about this….Fact is People don’t and wont Care, they are Vultures… Just look at the amount of stupid comments on here about this…And they will tell You,its there Right to comment…LOL.
So surround Yourself with people that understand ,or try and understand.Take it day by day or hour by hour if needs be…You are living Proof You can do it *Fact*…
Empty your mind of what other will say or do…Its Your life…Not there’s…Thanks.
Not getting into war of words with folk over this…When You engage Stupid, they will drag You down to there level and then beat You with Experience… ;- )
Thanks A FELLOW SUFFER…
I always feel like somebody’s watching me.
They are. Just ask frank. Or glen.
@Exit stage left…. Yr comment made me spill my cup o tea I laughed so much. …!
Which one?
Well said, suffering from anxiety can be very debilitating.
I think there is more to this issue that isn’t discussed enough though.
The main message in the media about mental health is the argument that it should be recognised by society as a real illness. I accept that it is, of course, I have my own bouts with depression as does everyone in my family.
What I don’t accept is that medication is the way out and that people should feel no qualms about finding the ‘one that suits them best’ before exploring other avenues. Make a rule to get 8 hours sleep a night, daily exercise and a healthy diet for 6 weeks and reevaluate your feelings. Read self-help books and look to progress yourself. Progress in made outside of your comfort zone! Small victories over your anxiety will lead to bigger victories. Best of luck to everyone out there
People judge others by themselves and what they feel and believe are the main avenues but as well from gossip, popularity beliefs and trying to fit into groups but this is why so many are ignorant of others that they do not want something from in my view. As people can be very selfish and ignorant of others because they never question anything and are on autoself the whole time?
What is the saying, to walk a mile in someone elses shoes? A great saying.
Due to some technical ‘glitch’ my last comment here seems to have gone astray but for what’s worth, you could try ‘Mindfulness’ and the web site ‘Headspace’ for some practical advice on coping with stress/anxiety? Besides, it’s free and won’t cost you 80€ or more per session with your ‘friendly’ local psychologist. Failing that, how about having a decent fireside chat with a sympathetic friend? Over to you and good luck Michaela.
good, and avoid negative people, those who feed on easy targets, bullies, opportunists. keep a small social circle to start with, take slow steps. the wider your social circle, the more chance you’ll meet obstacles, more BS, to deal with that you need to be resilient, then avoid, cut them off. they need help too, but a different kind, it’s not your job, ignore, don’t react, walk away.
Have spoken with the author on twitter about this already, but I figured I’d share on here too. I feel like those who campaign to remove the stigma behind mental health will only keep going until someone close to them is affected. Then they become too much to deal with and too difficult to understand and the affected person aren’t willing to open up about their problems. Sorry if that doesn’t make as much sense as I hoped it would! But as a Leaving Cert student who suffers from anxiety, I can definitely empathise with everything mentioned in this article and like you said, the exams only worsen the problem. The exam system is very flawed but that’s another article entirely!
What kind of judgemental a-holes are you sharing your anxiety with? A true friend would never tell you “Get over it” maybe be more conscious of the people you share your issues with.
most people get anxiety from time to time, even those on stage. wouldn’t call that ‘mental illness’, neither would they. its a word that can be thrown around too easily. one persons version of anxiety could be a walk in the park for the other ‘really’ suffering with anxiety WITH severe psychotic depressed periods and often is dosed up for years on end. We need to be careful here and respect what it really is.
For natural approaches to anxiety and depression see http://www.biobalance.ie
“Self hood” by Dr Terry Lynch is an amazing book. I would recommend anyone with anxiety to check it out.
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