jueves, 26 de septiembre de 2013

Anish Kapoor and the Gangnam Style

You might already know this video, it was broadcasted almost a year ago. It continues Ai Weiwei's in which he appeared dancing this popular song handcuffed in what seemed a claim for his freedom of expression and against censorship in China. Kapoor made it bigger; he called some good friends from the art world, most of them Americans, British and Swiss, to dance for Ai Weiwei, with the support of Amnesty International. It was funny to find that almost every relevant institution in the art world, like museums and art galleries, as well as a handfull of friend artists, were dancing against Chinese politics. I say it is funny because censorship also exists in this countries, but it seems more important to face it when talking about China. Also, Ai Weiwei is known for his controversial defense of neoliberal politics inside a comunist system.

Is this only about Ai Weiwei's freedom or is it more about a political war in which art and museums can develope an important role? And who finances Amnesty International? Anyone who knows a little about Art History can realize that political power and art have always been in touch, because art is not a minor issue for those who control the power.