Having fun with Ai Weiwei, a photo from Uppland, Svealand

Photographer's Note

The children are laughing at their distorted mirror images inside a sculpture by the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei in front of the Nationalmuseum in central Stockholm.

I know, you can't see what they were seeing and having fun at, and that's a big disappointment to me. For several reasons I couldn't get inside along with them to find a better angle. I didn't want to disturb them, their parents were standing next to me, and I didn't want a selfie.

Discretion doesn't always take the best photos, but you can see enough of the polished wall to imagine what effects were possible here.

For a year this 12 meter tall steel sculpture, called 'Arch', will be placed here before it will be moved to a permanent site somewhere else in Stockholm.

'Arch' was originally created for a large exhibition in 2017 in New York, where it was placed inside the much larger permanent arch in Washington Square Park.

The FAD Magazine, covering contemporary art, has described 'Arch' like this:

"Through its 40-foot-tall structure/.../Ai Weiwei, a refugee himself, creates an ode to freedom, using the silhouette of intertwined human figures to represent the free passage of all populations, and appealing for a world without borders."

Ai Weiwei, born in 1957, is one of China's best known artists. He has participated in exhibitions all over the world, but being also one of China's best known political dissidents he can no longer live in his home country. Since he left China in 2015 he has been living in various places in Europe.

One WS will show you how other visitors used the sculpture for fun. For the other WS I decided to post a "not funny" photo to show you what the entire sculpture looks like.

ikeharel, ktanska, pajaran, pierrefonds, Fis2, jean113, PaulVDV, PiotrF, mcmtanyel, aliabazari, COSTANTINO, jemaflor, macjake, ChrisJ, adramad, Royaldevon, gervaso oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

ikeharel (114499) 2022-07-04 0:36

Hello Gert,
An awesome main photo captured, the "dream" of any photographer to have a reflection and young childern being amuzed upon.
WS's clarify what we see there, a place one could stay for long time to capture various poses threre...
Excellent photojob, cheers.
Have a nice new week,
Ike

ktanska (45046) 2022-07-04 0:37

Hej Gert,
I think this PoV is good as it leaves room for imagination. I'm sure those kids have fun. I still remember how I was amused by distorted mirrors at Linnanmäki amusement park when I was a child. The reflections look wonderful also from this angle.
Kari

Silvio1953 (222811) 2022-07-04 2:35

Ciao Gerry, nice scene, fantastic reflections with beatiful deformati on, excellent clarity, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend , ciao Silvio

pajaran (116971) 2022-07-04 2:56

Pozdrav.

Lep pogled i trebutak, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Lep refleks i deca koja sede i uzivaju u pogledu, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama, kontrastom i uhvacenim trenutkom.
Dobar rad, sa lepim fotografijama u radionici.
Lep deo grada i arhitelktura.

Zelim vam lepo popodne, sve najbolje u novoj nedelji koja je pocela.
Paja

pierrefonds (115462) 2022-07-04 4:45

Hi Gert,

You have captured well the children looking at the reflections. The point of view is showing the details of the reflections. The light is bringing out the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Fis2 (171849) 2022-07-04 8:13

Witaj Gert!
A very curious photos.
This sculpture makes impression, amazing reflections.
I like the picture with the kids.
Good frames, colors and light.
A very interesting notes.
Well done.
Good afternoon.
Krzysztof

jean113 (28251) 2022-07-04 8:57

Hello Gert, a fascinating piece of art, and your three pictures help us to understand the piece more clearly.
In your main post the two children are so captivated by what they are looking at. The distortion created by the shaped shiny surface is wonderful.
The thumbnail picture is intriguing, it compels one to open it up.
Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards, Jean.

jmdias (116373) 2022-07-04 9:48

gert

a marvelous view of the children enjoying the sculpture and its reflections. I liked the WS showing as the sculpture is in general terms. excellent images.

take care

jorge

Tue (93340) 2022-07-04 10:19

Hej Gert,
Fra denne her vinkel fangede du ogsĺ nogle virkelig smukke spejlinger i det store kunstvćrk af Weiwei, bygningerne blev forvrćnget sĺ fantastisk her! Og desuden fik du de to břrn med der sikkert havde det meget sjovt med alt de kunne se i spejlet.
Lars

lousat (139926) 2022-07-04 10:21

Hi Gert,I immediately went to watch the WS to understand better and your photos satisfied me. Only one year here but then it will still be possible to see it, the effects of the distortion of reflexes are among the most incredible ever seen, the children have fun but you too have really found a great opportunity, perfectly captured. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

PaulVDV (63444) 2022-07-04 11:53

Hello Gert,
The photo in WS 1 clearly shows me that this artwork is a passageway.
I had misunderstood the other two pictures. But they're much more about the nice reactions of the children and the ladies. They were clearly all enjoying it.
What we see from the passage was very nicely executed. But the metal casing seems rather minimal to me for a work of art that travels the world. Perhaps the artist should have placed the artwork in a counterfeit cave. That of course does not detract from the nice reactions.
Best regards, Paul

PiotrF (55892) 2022-07-04 14:31

Hello Gert,
Interesting view of a sculpture by a Chinese artist. I did not know this sculpture before. A good time to take a photo. Great work.
Regards
Piotr

mcmtanyel (69127) 2022-07-04 21:15

Hello Gert,
An excellent set of photos showing children and adults having fun with this sculpture. I like the order of your presentation, from closest to furthest out, from a detail to the entire sculpture.
Regards,
MT

aliabazari (23171) 2022-07-04 21:57

Hello Gert
The artwork has attracted the attention of children. I like the children's reactions. Clarity and exposure are well done. I liked the view of the workshop.

COSTANTINO (117700) 2022-07-04 23:25

Hello my dearest friend and have
a nice day and a happy evening
wow!!!I like this photo with the
children which are laughing at
their distorted mirror images...
great idea of this sculpture
offering pleasant moments to people..
a fascinating piece of art
I wouldlike to be in the position
of both children....the laugh is
missing in our days...unfortunately
regards
Costantino

ifege (49325) 2022-07-04 23:38

Hi Gert
Ai Weiwei appeals to all ages and especially this spectacular work of his.
Well taken with lots of visible distortions.
cheers
Ian

jemaflor (148146) 2022-07-04 23:40

Hi Gert,
Original effect with these distorted reflections, well photographed with these interested children, good light well captured, tfs.

macjake (98544) 2022-07-05 10:51

Hi Gert
great looking photo, and the WS's really help to put it all together. its easy to see why you'd want to post this one, its got your stamp all over it. I like the WS where we can see the entire structure too. but this one is very playful and attractive for various reasons. good one
cheers
Craig

GyurMaster (25012) 2022-07-06 12:39

Dear Gert,

It is a well-spotted daily life and I'm happy that these children had some time without mobile phones or tablets. The distorted image of the old buildings is a cherry on ice.

Best Wishes,
Gy

PS: Thank you for your kind words on my photo with the furniture shop.

ChrisJ (172378) 2022-07-08 5:39

Hej Gert

A pity that people are so paranoid about cameras near children these days. The distorted reflections are amazing, regardless. Good colour sharpness and lighting. Tfs!

adramad (73414) 2022-07-12 9:29

Hi Gert.
Spectacular composition with this novel work of art, the children seem delighted to see so many strange images, the effect of reflections and distortions is wonderful, the WS are necessary especially where we see the total of the work, through which you can also enter, sensational. ...
Sharpness, lighting, color, and magnificent composition; They are managed perfectly, in this beautiful image.
Good work. I like it a lot.
You have a good day. Very best regards.
Luis.

Royaldevon (86392) 2022-07-15 6:42

Hello Gert,

Three delightful studies of the effects of the distorted mirror on different people.
I really don't know why you are are making apologies for this main photograph, for it is just amazing! The way that those two children are interacting with the distorting mirror is just so sweet, so innocent but utterly absorbing!
The composition is carefully assessed and includes just what is necessary!
One for my favourites, I think!

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

gervaso (28387) 2022-07-18 8:23

Hello, Gert!

Here I am after a long time! This image made me very curious, I couldn't understand what it was in the thumbnail, but now I see the distorted reflections of this metallic surface, which makes the image so beautiful and so interesting! But the most beautiful part of the photo are the kids having fun in front of it! Very nice job!