The Sunflower Seeds exhibition is ranked among my favorites, not only due to its labor process and handcrafted technique, but Ai Weiwei's concept is so powerful and clear. This is the first of his works that I've seen, so when I was doing the seminar readings I was completely unfamiliar with his kind of work. Only when I saw the exhibition in person did I feel so moved and amazed. I read about the handmade sunflower seeds, but my mind did not register that they ranged in the millions until I saw the field of seeds. They are tiny, but each is different and metaphorically holds so much potential. I respected Ai's work especially after viewing the adjacent documentary about the production and all the villagers of Jingdezhen who willingly, happily, helped make this sculpture possible. The economy of that village is not thriving, so the people work diligently at whatever task that is offered. Together they are able to create the parts that make the perfect whole--a reflection of one of many thoughts in Buddhism. The individual, unique seed is just as important as the entire sculpture, even though there are numerous other seeds to replace its spot. That one seed completes the perfection of the enormous work.
The artist comments on how the people of China were--and to a certain degree, still are--being manipulated by their leaders. The hard work of the villagers who made the seeds reflects the hard work of the people during the Communist takeover; unfortunately the latter did not reap much from all they sowed. Ai successfully connects his personal history with the national history through a simple sunflower seed. There is potential among all those seeds, all those people, to support change for a better future in that country.
Just as every seed is needed to complete the sculpture, every person in China is needed to make a better future possible.
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