Ai Weiwei’s “Iron Root”: Art Rooted in the Struggles of Uprooted Lives・アイウェイウェイの『鉄樹根』：根こそぎにされた人生を映し出す芸術
Ai Weiwei's “Iron Root,” permanently displayed at the Pola Museum of Art in Hakone, Japan, may look like a weathered tree trunk at first glance. But a light tap reveals its true nature: a hollow sculpture made of iron—a clever interplay between nature and art.
This striking piece reflects the theme of being “uprooted,” addressing global issues like the plight of refugees, the destruction of Indigenous lands, and Ai’s own experiences with displacement, including his arrests in China and his journey into exile.
Dive deeper into the story behind this artwork and explore more about Ai Weiwei’s life and inspirations in my latest blog post. Full write-up here (1-minute read): https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20241015-ironroot
Location: Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan Timestamp: 10:03・2024/10/15 Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter ISO 160 for 1/20 sec. at ƒ/4.5 Velvia/Vivid film simulation
