The local Miami artist Maximo Caminero recently visited the Perez Art Museum Miami to visit a new exhibit featuring the works of Ai Weiwei, and, apparently, to smash one of the displayed vases.
Maximo claimed that this act was intended to protest the PAMM's selection of works; he felt that the museum favored more famous artists from around the world at the expense of smaller scale, locally well-known artists. He explained this "spontaneous protest" to the New York Times:
"I was at PAMM and saw Ai Weiwei's photos behind the vases where he drops an ancient Chinese vase and breaks it. And I saw it as an act of provocation by Weiwei to join him in performance protest."
Ai Weiwei wasn't overly affected by the destruction of his vase (worth an estimated $1 million), saying that "A work is a work. It's a physical thing. What can you do? It's already over."
However, both Weiwei and the Museum agreed that Caminero's argument made little sense. PAMM stated that "As an art museum dedicated to celebrating modern and contemporary artists from within our community and around the world, we have the highest respect for freedom of expression, but this destructive act is vandalism and disrespectful to another artist and his work, to Pérez Art Museum Miami, and to our community."
In the end, Caminero was charged with "criminal mischief".
Personally, I think there are way more effective ways to get your point across, rather than just smashing someone's vase-art.
I agree. Smashing someone's vase doesn't seem like an effective way to get your point across. Maybe a letter? In this case it should have been a 'you break it you buy it' sort of deal.
ReplyDeleteYeah! A letter or perhaps something face to face if you are really feeling brave. Vandalism isn't the answer though.
ReplyDeleteShouldn't he have to pay for that vase now? And the decision of what to exhibit belongs to the museum. A letter or email, or even a petition would be a much more sensible way to protest, while smashing someone's artwork is definitely not.
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