Ai Weiwei
To Be Looked At…
2024
CNC cut aluminium sculpture
15.2 × 35 × 17.5 cm
Ed. /200
Location: Paris, France
Documents
-
Invoice or proof of purchase
-
Certificate of authenticity
-
Other documents
About the artwork
To Be Looked At… is a refined CNC-milled aluminium sculpture by Ai Weiwei, continuing the artist’s exploration of industrial materials, precision fabrication, and the transformation of functional forms into conceptual objects. The piece features a highly engineered, mechanical aesthetic reminiscent of surveillance devices, architectural fixtures, or industrial components, objects Ai Weiwei often recontextualizes to reflect on power, control, and the systems that shape contemporary life. The metallic surface and crisp geometry give the artwork a futuristic quality while underscoring Ai’s interest in visual language derived from mass production and state machinery. Produced as a limited edition of 200, each sculpture is engraved with the artist’s signature and edition number on the reverse. The work can be displayed on a flat surface or mounted on a wall, offering installation flexibility and strong sculptural presence.
Expert opinion
This edition reflects Ai Weiwei’s long-standing engagement with industrial aesthetics and the political resonances of manufactured objects. The CNC-cut aluminium technique aligns with the artist’s interest in precision, replication, and the tension between individuality and mechanisation.
As a limited edition of 200, the work sits in the desirable category of Ai Weiwei sculptures that are accessible yet conceptually rich. Its mechanical, almost utilitarian design echoes Ai’s iconic explorations of surveillance and state power, subjects that remain central to his international reputation.
Because of its compact scale, high-quality fabrication, and engraved signature, To Be Looked At… appeals both to established collectors of Ai Weiwei and to new audiences entering the realm of conceptual sculpture.
About the artist
Ai Weiwei (born 1957 in Beijing, China) is a Chinese artist and activist living and working in Berlin, Cambridge, and Portugal. He studied animation at the Beijing Film Academy and became a founding member of the Stars Art Group in 1979, which challenged artistic restrictions in post-Mao China. After moving to New York in 1981, he engaged with Western art movements, particularly conceptual art and minimalism. Returning to China in the early 1990s, Ai established himself as a key figure in contemporary art with a multidisciplinary practice that includes sculpture, installation, photography, architecture, social media, and filmmaking. His work often utilizes everyday materials such as Lego bricks, porcelain, and found objects to address themes of identity, history, human rights, and state control. Notable projects include installations like Sunflower Seeds and Straight, which reflect on significant social issues. Ai's outspoken criticism of the Chinese government led to his arrest and imprisonment in 2011, increasing his international visibility. His works are part of major collections in institutions such as the Tate, MoMA, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Centre Pompidou.
Additional info
Signed
3x
OTHER ARTWORKS YOU MAY LIKE
Your Dynamic Snippet will be displayed here...
This message is displayed because you did not provide both a filter and a template to use.