Bang by Ai Weiwei

Original Design: Bang is a large-scale installation composed of 886 antique wooden stools, interconnected to form a sprawling, tree-like structure. These stools, traditionally used in Chinese homes, are arranged in a way that creates a sense of chaos and expansion, filling the space with an intricate network of legs and seats that rise and fall, evoking the idea of growth and transformation.

Creation Year: 2013

Location: Venice Art Biennale, Venice, Italy

Read This if you are Into: Contemporary art, installation art, cultural heritage, conceptual art, Chinese culture and history.

Why is this important: Bang reflects Ai Weiwei's ongoing exploration of cultural identity, tradition, and change. By using everyday objects from Chinese households, the installation comments on the rapid modernization and globalization that have impacted traditional ways of life in China. The work also highlights the themes of unity and diversity, as the individual stools—each representing a unique history and origin—come together to form a larger, cohesive structure. Bang is emblematic of Ai Weiwei's approach to art, combining aesthetic beauty with deep socio-political commentary, making it a significant piece in his oeuvre and in contemporary art discourse.