Ilse Kuehn· 09/04/07 · 04:01 PM

Dear Ai weiwei,i heard of your engagement in documenta projects this year in Kassel. Iam living near Kassel and Iam the president of a basketball-club in Kassel. We also have a chinese basketball-team in our club and we are proud of it. Our club is named "ACT Kassel" (foundation in 1848). Our chinese group are students (there are 12 -15 members). If you are interested in including this team in your action, please contact me.

Helen Andrew Ozel· 16/04/07 · 02:03 PM

Dear Ai Weiwei,
I am a visual art student in Brisbane, Australia. I have attented the APT5 several times and am currently writing an essay on "Feet". I have read 2 books: "Ai Weiwei Works Beijing 1993-2003" and "Chinese Artists:Texts and Interviews" and also read through the major net sites - to try to gain insight to your work. I have particularly enjoyed the second book in which you interviewed several Chinese artists, and I felt that from your manner that you seem very approachable. In which case I am contacting you to ask what your ideas are on "Feet" - in person. What I am particularly wandering is your view on China today. I am very curious. I see contradictions in what I have been reading, and I really want to understand, but I am a little lost.
From what I have read they have suggested that you are anti-authoritarian - and I can certainly understand why...but what I am most curious about is your view on China's culture. Myself, born in Australia...a country which not so long ago was formed through an invasion of the indigenous peoples - pretty much a very British/American empire - I do not feel strongly rooted here. My husband is Turkish, and I lived with his family for a few years. Quickly my heart leans strongly into wanting to embrace an ancient past of traditions - or at least a deep curiosity of it. Before my journey overseas - my plan was initially to go to China - i haven't got there yet - but it was the one country which I feel very strongly drawn to. It may have had something to do with "Monkey Magic" as a child - and I do realise now afer being indoctrinated at uni to be aware of exoticising a culture, yet I want to still say that China deeply fascinates me!!!I am naive. I really want to know more.
What I do know is that China has gone through huge upheavels in the past. Many changes. I guess what I want to know is how you view these changes - as in which parts you could embrace, and which parts you are anti.
I am tyring to understand the context of feet. and I am trying to understand why much of the theory I've read has said something along the lines of your work being iconoclastic...which I understand as being an attack on cherished beliefs...and yet on the other hand your father, Ai Qing being revered as China's modern poet - and (only to my understanding - as I mentioned, I do not know much about this) with intellectuals/artists being persecuted (unless I guess if they were to promote political propoganda at the time)- I would think that his work is part of China's cultural past.
sorry that I am not being very clear. I guess what I want to ask is how you look at parts of China's past? As in, do you belive that there is much to hold sacred...like for example, the Buddhist statues, literature and paintings? Are you questioning why we value objects just because they are ancient? and are you questioning why we value objects - say because they are put into texts in a certain way? Or maybe you want us just to question what they mean to us personaly - and to not take their value for granted?
Ai Weiwei...I would really appreciate it if you write back to me, and I thank you for your art. It is a chance for me to know more about China and yourself.
Sincerely,
Helen Andrew

Micah· 23/04/07 · 08:20 PM

Dear Ai Weiwei,

We are working on a project in our Humanities class based on your wonderful works. Do you think we should do the Olympic Stadium? What exactly is your role in the Olympic Stadium? Is it significant? Also, we may study about your work on the bicycles. It really impressed us how you bridged the gap between modernization and the classics of the past. Thank you for providing us with such great works!

Roberta · 22/05/07 · 04:13 PM

Dear Ai Weiwei,
it's a a bit strange for me to write you here, but it's seems to be the only way and I hope you will read my message.
I am attending the university of visual arts in Venise,and I am writing the final thesis on the world of art in China. I really would like to speak with you, because I think your work is very interesting and it is changing the way to perceive art, in China as well as in the "west", and also because your role is never fixed but you work on different layers, as an arcitect, as an artist, as a curator etc. I think you can help me to understand more deeply what is happening in China.
I have also speak with Federica of Continua. I will be in Basel Fair this year and I hope to have the luck to meet you.
I will be happy if you can reply me.
Thank you very much,
Roberta

lord helmet· 16/06/07 · 09:47 AM

Sir WeiWei,

Please kick Andy in the ass for me

Gordon Marshall· 29/08/07 · 12:22 AM

Hi Weiwei, it's Gordon. Remember me, Gordon Marshall? I was a friend of Steve Scales when you were rooming with him in Williamsburg back in 1984 and we went to the Guggenheim and you took us to your studio where you stretched canvases. I still have the two paintings you sold me--or to be precise, I have the woman in red and black and I gave the Coke logo to my brother Andy.

Andy's a little too gung ho, I think, about selling it and making a profit. It has special value for me, having been your friend, and I'd hate to see it leave the family for a fast buck. On the other hand, you value change and practical thinking--and iconoclasm. What would be your advice to Andy?

Everyone I tell is blown away by the fact that I knew the guy who designed the Olympic stadium. I show everybody the artwork and the 94-04 retrospective who comes to my apartment. It has all enriched my life. I'd love to here from you.

Gordon

Jos Bosman· 19/02/08 · 12:02 PM

Dear Ai Weiwei, fantastic your work as an architect, as published in MARK! I would like to show it in an architectural gallery in Eindhoven (NL). Please let me know how to proceed! Best regards, Jos Bosman

Jon Manteau· 21/02/08 · 03:12 AM

Hey WeiWei,

This is Jon Manteau from your days at Parsons in NYC....I'm thinking 1982-83. I'm not sure that you will remember me but we/you were kind of part of our little group of painters (you, me, Chris Estridge, Jules, Juan Carlos......I'm thinking Sean Scully's class....maybe Daria Dorosh's class......
I think the last time I saw you was in the mid-late 80's at a gallery showing your work in SoHo.....
I was with Chris.....it was kind of funny....the gallery director.....thought that Chris and I were messengers when we came in.....actually tried to hand us packages.
Glad to see that life....and hard work....have treated you well!!!!!
I remember that you always had a fondness for the ready-mades of Duchamp....and.....especially for Jasper John's sculptural works.
I live and work in Philadlephia, PA.....teach at Temple University.....am married to a graphic designer (no kids).....our surrogate child is a 2 year old, 90lb Lab Retriever......
Still painting.....big drippy abstract pieces......if you have time goggle "Jon Manteau...Current TV".....should get an idea what I've been up to........
Anyway, if you're ever in Philly....look me up......as you well know....we have.....the best Marcel Duchamp collection....in the world!!!!
I'd love to grab lunch and shoot the shit!!!!

Jonny

PS
Still don't have a web page.....coming soon though.....
what can I say.....I'm still so first 1/2 of the 20th century......