Ai Weiwei Under House Arrest

Ai Weiwei seems to be popping up on a weekly basis since he unveiled his latest work “Sunflower Seeds” at Tate Modern.  But I spotted in the news today that he was held under house arrest in Beijing over the weekend to prevent him staging a protest at the demolition of his new studio in Shanghai.

More Work in Support of “Save the Arts”

 

One of Mark Titcheners pieces - on billboards and handed out as flyers.

 

Two more artists have contributed work to the Save the Arts campaign.  I like them individually, but I think they work even better together, because they focus on different aspects of the issues with cutting arts funding.

First, Mark Titchner has produced two designs which will be on display around Birmingham.  The one above particularly concentrates on the idea of the arts as an industry.  As the cuts are discussed, many would write off the arts as an expensive indulgence, whereas it is actually a lucrative section of British industry.  The very politicised statement also associates it with other demonstrations in recent history as industries have declined or disappeared through Government actions (or inaction).  As the press release say, “Titchner has purposefully pitched the phrase in a city where cuts to major industries over the past decade have had dramatic impact.”

Titchner’s second piece takes a different approach:

This one picks up on the idea that no-one is claiming the arts are exempt from cuts, but rather that if cuts are too severe, the arts will die.  it’s a simple message, but an effective one.

And finally, Bob and Roberta Smith has produced a simple piece which tackles a different angle, but also takes on another misconception about the cuts.

 

The cuts aren't about giving money to artists. The cuts are about restricting access to the arts and culture.

 

As the caption states, this isn’t about artists complaining that they’ll be poor.  Artists will still make art.  The issue is that access will be restricted, whether that’s in terms of time or money or whatever.

Save the Arts – Update

 

Why clip the wings of an industry that is soaring? It’s a false economy to cut the arts.

 

This is the latest work produced for the Save the Arts campaign, this time by Cornelia Parker, featuring Anthony Gormley’s Angel of the North missing a wing…

“Stop Cutting” (2010) by Yinka Shonibare

"Stop Cutting" (2010) by Yinka Shonibare

Yinka Shonibare has contributed the latest work to the Save The Arts campaign, which is asking the Government to reduce the proposed cuts in funding to the arts.  Shonibare, who created the “Ship in a bottle”, currently occupying the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square, has produced my favourite contribution to the campaign so far.

Save the Arts!

David Shrigley was the first artist to produce work in support of "Save The Arts"

I’ve been thinking of posting on the proposed cuts to Government funding for the arts, but today I came across www.savethearts.org.uk…