Ai Weiwei Illy Art Collection 2021 Espresso Cup 3
Ai Weiwei drew inspiration from his famous “Colored Vases” created in 2006 when designing the new illy Art Collection series. The ancient Neolithic vases, whose appearance and function were radically altered by the artist by dipping them in industrial paint cans, illustrate the vital role that bold approaches to history, politics, and tradition play in redefining culture. With these sacrilegious everyday objects, Ai Weiwei renovates works from the past, transforming them into contemporary art pieces through a process of appropriation and destruction. This act eliminates the historical and cultural value of the work, referring to the systematic destruction of history and culture that has continued in China from the Mao era to today’s unrestrained state capitalism. The 2021 Ai Weiwei – Espresso Cups includes limited edition espresso cups specially designed by Ai Weiwei for the illy art collection series in 2021.