Watermelon

Details

Ai Weiwei (B. 1957)
Watermelon
glazed porcelain
15 ¾ x 15 3/8 x 15 3/8in. (40 x 39 x 39cm.)
Executed in 2006, this work is unique

Provenance

Acquired directly from the artist by the previous owner.

Literature

K. Smith, H. U. Obrist and B. Fibicher, Ai Weiwei, London 2009 (another unique variant illustrated in colour, p. 53).
Ai Weiwei: So Sorry, exh. cat., Munich, Haus der Kunst, 2009-2010 (other unique variants illustrated in colour, p. 73).
Ai Weiwei: Sunflower Seeds, exh. cat., London, Tate, 2010 (another unique variant illustrated in colour, p. 63).
Ai Weiwei: Dropping the Urn (Ceramic Works, 5000 BCE - 2010 CE), exh. cat., Glenside, Arcadia University Art Gallery, 2010 (other unique variants illustrated in colour, p. 36, pp. 76-77 and in situ, pp. 2-3).

Special Notice

These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

Further Details

This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist.

Brought to you by

Tessa Lord

tlord@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2683

Lot Essay

‘Creating perfect, lusciously glazed replicas of watermelons […] goes to the heart of the “culture” problem: who decides what is precious, of enduring value to society, and for what reasons? Ai firmly believes that “All humanity lives according to certain immutable conditions of life, and of society. That has always been so. Artists should always aim to challenge these whenever the opportunity arises’’’
(K. Smith, H. U. Obrist and B. Fibicher, Ai Weiwei, London 2009, p. 85).

Watermelon

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Lot Essay

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