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Zodiac: A Graphic Memoir
In this beautifully illustrated and deeply philosophical graphic memoir, legendary artist Ai Weiwei explores the connection between artistic expression and intellectual freedom through interwoven stories from all the seasons of his life.
As a child living in exile during the Cultural Revolution, Ai Weiwei often found himself with nothing to read but government-approved comic books. Although they were restricted by the confines of political propaganda, Ai Weiwei was struck by the artists' ability to express their thoughts on art and humanity through graphic storytelling. Now, decades later, Ai Weiwei and Italian comic artist Gianluca Costantini present Zodiac, Ai Weiwei's first graphic memoir.
Inspired by the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac and their associated human characteristics, Ai Weiwei masterfully interweaves ancient Chinese folklore with stories of his life, family, and career. The narrative shifts back and forth through the years—at once in the past, present, and future—mirroring memory and our relationship to time. As readers delve deeper into the beautifully illustrated pages of Zodiac, they will find not only a personal history of Ai Weiwei and an examination of the sociopolitical climate in which he makes his art, but a philosophical exploration of what it means to find oneself through art and freedom of expression.
Contemplative and political, Zodiac will inspire readers to return again and again to Ai Weiwei's musings on the relationship between art, time, and our shared humanity.
As a child living in exile during the Cultural Revolution, Ai Weiwei often found himself with nothing to read but government-approved comic books. Although they were restricted by the confines of political propaganda, Ai Weiwei was struck by the artists' ability to express their thoughts on art and humanity through graphic storytelling. Now, decades later, Ai Weiwei and Italian comic artist Gianluca Costantini present Zodiac, Ai Weiwei's first graphic memoir.
Inspired by the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac and their associated human characteristics, Ai Weiwei masterfully interweaves ancient Chinese folklore with stories of his life, family, and career. The narrative shifts back and forth through the years—at once in the past, present, and future—mirroring memory and our relationship to time. As readers delve deeper into the beautifully illustrated pages of Zodiac, they will find not only a personal history of Ai Weiwei and an examination of the sociopolitical climate in which he makes his art, but a philosophical exploration of what it means to find oneself through art and freedom of expression.
Contemplative and political, Zodiac will inspire readers to return again and again to Ai Weiwei's musings on the relationship between art, time, and our shared humanity.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 30, 2024
About the author
Ai Weiwei
26 books62 followersAi Weiwei (Chinese: 艾未未; pinyin: Ài Wèiwèi, English pronunciation; born 28 August 1957) is a Chinese contemporary artist, documentarian, and activist. Ai grew up in the far northwest of China, where he lived under harsh conditions due to his father's exile.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
March 3, 2024
‘Art is wrestling with yourself.’
Midway through his graphic memoir, Zodiac, Ai Weiwei states that all artists should also be activists lest they simply be a ‘dead artist’ even while living. ‘Metamorphosis is the core of art,’ he explains later and sees the importance of creating and experiencing art not only as a transformation of the self but also society at large. This is certainly the case with Ai Weiwei who one cannot mention in terms of his art—be it his sculptures, photographs, documentaries or other installation pieces—without also discussing his activism, as if the two were simply dual appendages of the same body. His arrest in 2011 became a flashpoint for human rights and other activist organizations and as he was held for 81 days without a charge he quickly became a world renown symbol of artistic resistance and the importance of freedoms of speech and expression. Here Ai Weiwei along with Elettra Stamboulis tells his life story in graphic format with illustrations by Gianluca Costantini being both a memoir and a profound and philosophical musing on art, resistance and the importance of making your voice heard despite the powers that would rather have it be silent. This makes a great companion piece to his previous memoir, 1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows: A Memoir from 2021. Told in a conversational style between Ai and his son or with interviewers and other artists, interspersed with mythological tales and framed around reflections on the zodiac signs in relation to activism, this is a fascinating and thought provoking look into the life and mind of this great artist.
‘Art is just the beginning’
I was lucky enough to see an exhibit of Ai Weiwei’s work when several pieces of his collection came to Grand Rapids, Mi in 2017. I’ve long been fascinated with him both as an artist but also as a symbol for the possibilities of art as activism and bold statements of freedom so this was a really engaging and enjoyable look at his life as well as his reflections on his own works. ‘Power is so afraid of art and poets,’ Ai tells us, ‘art has the possibility to defend very essential rights’ and he examines how many pieces of his own work set out to do just that. There are some great commentaries on works like his fairytale project at Documenta 12, the message behind his sunflower seeds, his work on the Birds Nest olympic stadium, or his collection of names of students killed in the Sichuan earthquake about which he says ‘All the silence from the State apparatus cannot erase the persistent memories of the survivors. We have to remember at least their names.’ He reflects upon his imprisonment, the demolition of his studio by the government, his inability to leave China after he was released and more. I also enjoyed that the book was structured around ideas of the zodiac, reflecting his own sculpture piece Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads.
Photo from when I saw the Ai Weiwei exhibit in Grand Rapids
‘Art is against repetition. It’s about leading us toward more dangerous ways of experiencing ourselves.’
Beyond his own life, Ai Weiwei also discusses the works of other important activists such as Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiabo or Ai Weiwei’s own father, Ai Qing who faced imprisonment and exile as well. Through it all he discusses how art is always a fight for freedom.
I really enjoyed this book and learned a lot reading it. It is really well paced and covers a lot of ground, both historically and philosophically. I love his love of poetry and belief in the power of art, it is truly inspiring. The artwork in this collection is wonderful too, often representing famous photographs of Ai Weiwei and his works while also moving into really surreal imagery. This is a great format for this work as it, too, is a work of art but is also very accessible to get the message across to a wide range of readers across a wide age range (this would work great in a high school classroom, for instance).
Perhaps my favorite moment of the book comes early on, however, in his discussion on why cats are left out of the Chinese zodiac. He explains to his son that he loves cats because they are ‘n animal that cat open doors, but they are different from human beings because they don’t close the doors behind them.’ He sees this as a symbol of great art: ‘The key is to keep the doors open…like the cats, we have to keep the door that we call freedom of speech and thought open.’ So perhaps we should all be more like the cat and keep the door open for art and freedom of expression. Zodiac is a lovely graphic novel.
4/5
What would a book on Ai Weiwei be without his iconic middle finger?
Midway through his graphic memoir, Zodiac, Ai Weiwei states that all artists should also be activists lest they simply be a ‘dead artist’ even while living. ‘Metamorphosis is the core of art,’ he explains later and sees the importance of creating and experiencing art not only as a transformation of the self but also society at large. This is certainly the case with Ai Weiwei who one cannot mention in terms of his art—be it his sculptures, photographs, documentaries or other installation pieces—without also discussing his activism, as if the two were simply dual appendages of the same body. His arrest in 2011 became a flashpoint for human rights and other activist organizations and as he was held for 81 days without a charge he quickly became a world renown symbol of artistic resistance and the importance of freedoms of speech and expression. Here Ai Weiwei along with Elettra Stamboulis tells his life story in graphic format with illustrations by Gianluca Costantini being both a memoir and a profound and philosophical musing on art, resistance and the importance of making your voice heard despite the powers that would rather have it be silent. This makes a great companion piece to his previous memoir, 1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows: A Memoir from 2021. Told in a conversational style between Ai and his son or with interviewers and other artists, interspersed with mythological tales and framed around reflections on the zodiac signs in relation to activism, this is a fascinating and thought provoking look into the life and mind of this great artist.
‘Art is just the beginning’
I was lucky enough to see an exhibit of Ai Weiwei’s work when several pieces of his collection came to Grand Rapids, Mi in 2017. I’ve long been fascinated with him both as an artist but also as a symbol for the possibilities of art as activism and bold statements of freedom so this was a really engaging and enjoyable look at his life as well as his reflections on his own works. ‘Power is so afraid of art and poets,’ Ai tells us, ‘art has the possibility to defend very essential rights’ and he examines how many pieces of his own work set out to do just that. There are some great commentaries on works like his fairytale project at Documenta 12, the message behind his sunflower seeds, his work on the Birds Nest olympic stadium, or his collection of names of students killed in the Sichuan earthquake about which he says ‘All the silence from the State apparatus cannot erase the persistent memories of the survivors. We have to remember at least their names.’ He reflects upon his imprisonment, the demolition of his studio by the government, his inability to leave China after he was released and more. I also enjoyed that the book was structured around ideas of the zodiac, reflecting his own sculpture piece Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads.
Photo from when I saw the Ai Weiwei exhibit in Grand Rapids
‘Art is against repetition. It’s about leading us toward more dangerous ways of experiencing ourselves.’
Beyond his own life, Ai Weiwei also discusses the works of other important activists such as Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiabo or Ai Weiwei’s own father, Ai Qing who faced imprisonment and exile as well. Through it all he discusses how art is always a fight for freedom.
I really enjoyed this book and learned a lot reading it. It is really well paced and covers a lot of ground, both historically and philosophically. I love his love of poetry and belief in the power of art, it is truly inspiring. The artwork in this collection is wonderful too, often representing famous photographs of Ai Weiwei and his works while also moving into really surreal imagery. This is a great format for this work as it, too, is a work of art but is also very accessible to get the message across to a wide range of readers across a wide age range (this would work great in a high school classroom, for instance).
Perhaps my favorite moment of the book comes early on, however, in his discussion on why cats are left out of the Chinese zodiac. He explains to his son that he loves cats because they are ‘n animal that cat open doors, but they are different from human beings because they don’t close the doors behind them.’ He sees this as a symbol of great art: ‘The key is to keep the doors open…like the cats, we have to keep the door that we call freedom of speech and thought open.’ So perhaps we should all be more like the cat and keep the door open for art and freedom of expression. Zodiac is a lovely graphic novel.
4/5
What would a book on Ai Weiwei be without his iconic middle finger?
February 23, 2024
I've been following Ai Weiwei's work since about 2010, and was absolutely delighted to learn he was releasing a comic memoir. I managed to snag a signed copy though the Comix Experience Graphic Novel of the Month Club and I will treasure it. This book is organized into 12 chapters, each themed around one animal from the zodiac. It weaves together slice of life moments from Ai Weiwei's day to day life, stories of his father (the revolutionary poet Ai Qing), memories of Ai's time as an art student in New York, his incarceration, time spent with his mother, his partner, and his son, conversations with artist friends and some of his international exhibitions. It is not a tight narrative; it wanders, it indulges in myths and fairy tales, it is open ended and I enjoyed it so much. It was written along with Elettra Stamboulis, and draw in a delicate lose line art style by Gianluca Costantini. A few of the lines from the end of the book haven't left my head since I read them: "Freedom of speech and human rights are not given to anybody for free. They always come through fighting and struggle" (101); "Any artist who isn't an activist is a dead artist" (165) and "... the purpose of art, which is to fight for freedom."(166)
April 1, 2024
An interesting overview of Ai Weiwei’s life, art, and the political climate in China — told in relation to the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac
December 15, 2023
Major thanks to NetGalley and Ten Speed Graphic for offering an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts:
"𝘈𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘤𝘩, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘤𝘩 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵, 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘵."
Through 𝘞𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 imagery where dreams and imagination combine to weave an intricate tapestry of all the moments where Weiwei felt most alien, we are graciously given a tapestry collecting the harsh brutality of the Chinese police, censorship and where his art stands between the world and China all done through the examinations of the zodiac animals.
Though heavy-handed at times, Weiwei tries to embed what he has learned and what he has seen sporadically throughout his years as an artist, a prisoner, and a human being.
"𝘈𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘤𝘩, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘤𝘩 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵, 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘵."
Through 𝘞𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 imagery where dreams and imagination combine to weave an intricate tapestry of all the moments where Weiwei felt most alien, we are graciously given a tapestry collecting the harsh brutality of the Chinese police, censorship and where his art stands between the world and China all done through the examinations of the zodiac animals.
Though heavy-handed at times, Weiwei tries to embed what he has learned and what he has seen sporadically throughout his years as an artist, a prisoner, and a human being.
February 16, 2024
2 stars
I unfortunately found this graphic novel to be confusing and inaccessible. The content constantly jumps around with very little coherence, causing me to check if I had accidentally missed a page on several occasions. Furthermore, the parts that are coherent are confusing and difficult to parse, which, when combined with the barebones and bland illustration style lead to a deeply boring graphic novel that I had to slog through, even though it was short.
I unfortunately found this graphic novel to be confusing and inaccessible. The content constantly jumps around with very little coherence, causing me to check if I had accidentally missed a page on several occasions. Furthermore, the parts that are coherent are confusing and difficult to parse, which, when combined with the barebones and bland illustration style lead to a deeply boring graphic novel that I had to slog through, even though it was short.
December 27, 2023
I didn't know what to expect from this graphic novel. I'm a huge fan of the artist and was extremely lucky to see his expo made for Marseille, so I was really excited. I was expecting it to read like a memoir, but it feels more like stepping into a contemplative journey through time, art, and personal struggle. This graphic novel, far from being a conventional memoir, is an intricate tapestry that weaves together Ai Weiwei's reflections on life, art, and freedom through the mythical lens of the Chinese zodiac.
From the outset, Zodiac captivates with its unique narrative structure. The story unfolds not linearly but as a series of vignettes, blending Ai Weiwei's past experiences with Chinese zodiac mythology, cultural tales, and intimate conversations with family and friends. These elements come together to paint a broader picture of the Cultural Revolution's impact and the relentless spirit of those who dare to challenge it.
Each page of this memoir is a testament to the enduring power of art and expression. While the narrative takes readers through various periods of Ai Weiwei's life, it also delves into the philosophical, exploring the artist's and his contemporaries' motivations, struggles, and triumphs. The art, while simple in its black-and-white presentation, is intentionally styled to focus the reader's attention on the narrative's depth and complexity. While I personally hoped for more intricate visuals, the starkness of the illustrations serves to amplify the memoir's thematic weight, compelling readers to engage more profoundly with the text and its underlying ideas.
Zodiac is not just a book but an experience, one that demands revisiting. Its layered narrative and philosophical underpinnings offer new insights with each reading. Although it can be consumed quickly (I read it in an hour), the true value lies in its lingering effect, inviting readers to ponder and reflect long after the last page is turned.
In sum, this book is a compelling blend of art, history, and philosophy, offering a rare glimpse into the mind of one of the most influential contemporary artists. It's a work that challenges, enlightens, and inspires, much like Ai Weiwei himself.
Recommended for those who appreciate graphic novels with a deep, introspective edge and anyone interested in the intersections between art, society, and personal narrative.
From the outset, Zodiac captivates with its unique narrative structure. The story unfolds not linearly but as a series of vignettes, blending Ai Weiwei's past experiences with Chinese zodiac mythology, cultural tales, and intimate conversations with family and friends. These elements come together to paint a broader picture of the Cultural Revolution's impact and the relentless spirit of those who dare to challenge it.
Each page of this memoir is a testament to the enduring power of art and expression. While the narrative takes readers through various periods of Ai Weiwei's life, it also delves into the philosophical, exploring the artist's and his contemporaries' motivations, struggles, and triumphs. The art, while simple in its black-and-white presentation, is intentionally styled to focus the reader's attention on the narrative's depth and complexity. While I personally hoped for more intricate visuals, the starkness of the illustrations serves to amplify the memoir's thematic weight, compelling readers to engage more profoundly with the text and its underlying ideas.
Zodiac is not just a book but an experience, one that demands revisiting. Its layered narrative and philosophical underpinnings offer new insights with each reading. Although it can be consumed quickly (I read it in an hour), the true value lies in its lingering effect, inviting readers to ponder and reflect long after the last page is turned.
In sum, this book is a compelling blend of art, history, and philosophy, offering a rare glimpse into the mind of one of the most influential contemporary artists. It's a work that challenges, enlightens, and inspires, much like Ai Weiwei himself.
Recommended for those who appreciate graphic novels with a deep, introspective edge and anyone interested in the intersections between art, society, and personal narrative.
April 21, 2024
i wanted to colour in the pages so bad, the black and white spreads were just calling my name fr
February 18, 2024
I found Zodiac very inaccessible, which may be due to me not being that familiar with Ai Weiwei's work. This memoir may have been created primarily for his fans, but from my perspective it was barely intelligible. Even though I understand we're presented with vignettes from Weiwei's life, I had a hard time following each chapter, with conversations seemingly randomly jumping from topic to topic. At times it even felt like Weiwei tried to advertise his creations rather than explain the story behind them. The art style and layout didn't help much; panels were largely the same size throughout, speech bubbles were often placed confusingly and the overall art ended up being kind of bland, even though some illustration had great composition, only let down by the barebones linework.
I have to say that Zodiac made me wanna check out some of Ai Weiwei's work and read up on Chinese history. I also liked the structure in conjunction with the zodiac fable as well as the overall glimpses into Chinese culture, what art means to Ai Weiwei and some of his contemporaries and the inextricable link between art and politics. To be honest, I don't feel equipped to adequately review the contents of this graphic memoir because I don't think I'm the target audience, but I do wish Zodiac would be more accessible for people not familiar with Weiwei. Ultimately, it's more of a 2.5- than a 3 star-read for me, but fans of Ai Weiwei might absolutely love it.
- ARC provided by NetGalley -
I have to say that Zodiac made me wanna check out some of Ai Weiwei's work and read up on Chinese history. I also liked the structure in conjunction with the zodiac fable as well as the overall glimpses into Chinese culture, what art means to Ai Weiwei and some of his contemporaries and the inextricable link between art and politics. To be honest, I don't feel equipped to adequately review the contents of this graphic memoir because I don't think I'm the target audience, but I do wish Zodiac would be more accessible for people not familiar with Weiwei. Ultimately, it's more of a 2.5- than a 3 star-read for me, but fans of Ai Weiwei might absolutely love it.
- ARC provided by NetGalley -
April 7, 2024
So other than a brief foray into The Walking Dead, I have never read a graphic novel. This is going to be a book I will continue to refer back to from time to time. It has so much to say.
First, each chapter is an animal of the Chinese zodiac. The novel alternates between explaining the animal characteristics and the memoir of WeiWei. I actually would have preferred, since my knowledge of this subject is limited, if there would have been more explanations of each animal. Every other chapter, again all labeled with an animal as it progresses through the Calander, the definition and details to the specific animal is not included, but a story about a personal struggle between oppression and art. This to me makes it feel more like two different stories mixed in the same book. But it is absolutely full of art, metaphors and history.
The main theme throughout is the power of art. You can reach so many people through art, influence so many people. It is a form of expression and sometimes something you have to fight for. Art was both a blessing and a curse (because of the consequences) for the people struggling through the years in China, specifically as seen through the eyes in WeiWei's experiences.
The insights and quotes that this graphic novel includes are amazing. Quotes like, "The truth is that you never know when destiny comes knocking on your door." And regarding art, quotes like "Any artist who isn't an activist is a dead artist." Like I said before, there is so much good stuff in every nook and cranny of this graphic novel that every time I go back to read it, I am sure there will be new things discovered.
I don't know that I'm completely sold on graphic novels. I prefer the traditional kind. But this book is really a fantastic read.
First, each chapter is an animal of the Chinese zodiac. The novel alternates between explaining the animal characteristics and the memoir of WeiWei. I actually would have preferred, since my knowledge of this subject is limited, if there would have been more explanations of each animal. Every other chapter, again all labeled with an animal as it progresses through the Calander, the definition and details to the specific animal is not included, but a story about a personal struggle between oppression and art. This to me makes it feel more like two different stories mixed in the same book. But it is absolutely full of art, metaphors and history.
The main theme throughout is the power of art. You can reach so many people through art, influence so many people. It is a form of expression and sometimes something you have to fight for. Art was both a blessing and a curse (because of the consequences) for the people struggling through the years in China, specifically as seen through the eyes in WeiWei's experiences.
The insights and quotes that this graphic novel includes are amazing. Quotes like, "The truth is that you never know when destiny comes knocking on your door." And regarding art, quotes like "Any artist who isn't an activist is a dead artist." Like I said before, there is so much good stuff in every nook and cranny of this graphic novel that every time I go back to read it, I am sure there will be new things discovered.
I don't know that I'm completely sold on graphic novels. I prefer the traditional kind. But this book is really a fantastic read.
May 18, 2024
A fascinating graphic memoir from famed Chinese artist and activist, Ai Weiwei.
This memoir is a deeply philosophical look at intellectual freedom, art, and 20th century Chinese history, told through the framework of the Chinese zodiac. I enjoyed this, but it definitely aired more heady and required a knowledge of modern Chinese history and politics that not everyone will have. That said, if you like 20th century Chinese history and politics (think The Cultural Revolution and Mao Ze Dong), then Weiwei's personal experience of artistic expression and repression will be right up your alley.
This memoir is a deeply philosophical look at intellectual freedom, art, and 20th century Chinese history, told through the framework of the Chinese zodiac. I enjoyed this, but it definitely aired more heady and required a knowledge of modern Chinese history and politics that not everyone will have. That said, if you like 20th century Chinese history and politics (think The Cultural Revolution and Mao Ze Dong), then Weiwei's personal experience of artistic expression and repression will be right up your alley.
September 25, 2024
I really wanted to like this. I love the art of Ai Weiwei, comics, and the idea of structuring a book around the animals of the zodiac . . . but I don’t think this could be any more mediocre. The art, the lettering, the content. It’s all just so . . . “meh.”
Shelved as '2024'
June 4, 2024📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Ten Speed Graphic
January 8, 2024
"We do not cooperate with anyone, anything. This is a challenge to all the powers, authorities, and the system. It is small yet not to be ignored, like a nail in the eye, a thorn in the flesh, a little grain of sand in the shoe—it reflects a valuable cultural spirit." - Ai Weiwei, interview for Art World Magazine
Zodiac is a graphic memoir by one of our greatest contemporary artists, Ai Weiwei, whose political art and anti-oppression activism has often stirred up what the late John Lewis called "good trouble". The art, by Gianluca Costantini, is evocative, and the book is organized into 12 chapters that reflect the Chinese zodiac signs; the stories within each chapter evoke some aspect of that animal. It's a great introduction to Ai's biography, from growing up in Mao's China, to discovering art as a tool of self-expression and activism, to being detained for his art. I think anyone who's familiar with Ai Weiwei's work, or who hasn't heard of it yet, would enjoy this book.
I had two wishes for this book: 1) that Ai Weiwei would contribute to the art of the memoir in some way. Costantini did a great job of bringing Ai's life and art to the page, but Ai Weiwei is an artist, and I wish he brought some of his own talents to this graphic memoir format. 2) That this memoir went into more depth about Ai Weiwei's emotions. It's a great manifesto for the power and purpose of art in contemporary society, but as a memoir, I wished he'd had deeper introspection on parts of his life that informed his art.
Overall, though, I very much enjoyed this graphic memoir. Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"Any artist who isn't an activist is a dead artist. I try to create works with honesty and that bear relationship to my life, to reflect the place and time in which I live. I hope that when future generations see my work, they will understand my struggle as an artist. I hope that they will be conscious of artists' efforts to protect freedom of speech and expression." - p. 165
Zodiac is a graphic memoir by one of our greatest contemporary artists, Ai Weiwei, whose political art and anti-oppression activism has often stirred up what the late John Lewis called "good trouble". The art, by Gianluca Costantini, is evocative, and the book is organized into 12 chapters that reflect the Chinese zodiac signs; the stories within each chapter evoke some aspect of that animal. It's a great introduction to Ai's biography, from growing up in Mao's China, to discovering art as a tool of self-expression and activism, to being detained for his art. I think anyone who's familiar with Ai Weiwei's work, or who hasn't heard of it yet, would enjoy this book.
I had two wishes for this book: 1) that Ai Weiwei would contribute to the art of the memoir in some way. Costantini did a great job of bringing Ai's life and art to the page, but Ai Weiwei is an artist, and I wish he brought some of his own talents to this graphic memoir format. 2) That this memoir went into more depth about Ai Weiwei's emotions. It's a great manifesto for the power and purpose of art in contemporary society, but as a memoir, I wished he'd had deeper introspection on parts of his life that informed his art.
Overall, though, I very much enjoyed this graphic memoir. Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"Any artist who isn't an activist is a dead artist. I try to create works with honesty and that bear relationship to my life, to reflect the place and time in which I live. I hope that when future generations see my work, they will understand my struggle as an artist. I hope that they will be conscious of artists' efforts to protect freedom of speech and expression." - p. 165
April 22, 2024
Graphic memoirs tend to be one of my favorite genres, but this book just didn’t do it for me. I found it rather inaccessible, like I just wasn’t smart enough to understand what was going on. Oddly enough, I rarely find that to be the case with other memoirs, even by people whose fields are difficult to comprehend. Yet they seem to want to make their readers understand. Ai Weiwei wants to make us think, yes — about art, about what art means, about the human rights violations that the Chinese government has been guilty of and continues to perpetrate, about the importance of the rich history of Chinese culture. But he does so in a way that makes him seem like he’s above the rest of us, and that I find a bit off-putting.
Perhaps I would have enjoyed this memoir better if I were a follower of Ai Weiwei’s art, or if I were an art student in general. I picked this memoir up mainly because I enjoy this genre, but also because I am interested in Chinese culture. I felt this memoir read more like a college class, with Ai Weiwei lecturing us on his work and how it fits in with Chinese culture and resistance.
Perhaps I would have enjoyed this memoir better if I were a follower of Ai Weiwei’s art, or if I were an art student in general. I picked this memoir up mainly because I enjoy this genre, but also because I am interested in Chinese culture. I felt this memoir read more like a college class, with Ai Weiwei lecturing us on his work and how it fits in with Chinese culture and resistance.
May 23, 2024
I haven’t done a review of a book in quite a while though I’ve been reading a lot. However, I couldn’t but hit the keyboard when I read the graphic novel Zodiac: A Graphic Memoir Al WeiWei. The cover is a rich gold but the insides are black and white with the narrative illustrated by the inimitable Italian comic artist Gianluca Constantini. The memoir is also a collaboration between WeiWei and Elettra Stamboulis, a comics author, curator, translator, and activist who has been involved in curatorial and creative practices developed with Gianluca Costantini for the Komikazen International Festival of Reality Comics (2005–2015). It is an explosive combination of artistic minds that is on view for the readers more so because of the intricate lines and hatching with which Constantini unravels and illustrates the tapestry of WeiWei’s life.
The book is woven using the 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac - Mouse, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. WeiWei did not have much of a relationship with his father, a poet who joined the Chinese Communist Party but ended up persecuted and punished as a counter-revolutionary. The. story begins in China in the heat of Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution where reading anything other than what the Party determined as politically correct is dangerous. William Blake is banned, for instance, and Weiwei’s memory is of his poet-father telling him not to read. Cut to 2015 and WeiWei is telling his son about his life, and his views on the tangled web of relationships between art, time, folklore, symbols, ideas, and the reality of partaking of a shared humanity.
WeiWei’s son dares to ask questions being curious about everything but WeiWei is nuanced in his responses, even cautious. However, he passes on his acquired and accumulated wisdom to his son through storytelling and providing intricate exegeses of stories from Chinese folklore and the meaning of the Zodiac signs, relating these to the history of China and its politics, the necessity to survive socioeconomic calamities contrived by powerful rulers and to defend the right to freedom of expression which is under threat in a variety of forms and systems in different parts of the world. Art is the true mouthpiece of freedom of expression and art is the Cat that escaped being confined to the Zodiac.
I am a cat lover and so WeiWei’s understanding of the freedom of the Cat and how it came to be as explained by Chinese folklore left me struck by a lightning bolt right between the eyes. The sign of the power to forbid books is the sign of the Mouse and is the sign of betrayal. The Chinese Mouse is the proverbial Judas and represents every tyrannical, representative power that seeks to crush the rights of human beings to self-expression and dissent.
The story goes that Cat and Mouse were good friends. Neither could swim. The Jade Emperor invited all the animals to a race to determine which ones would be keepers of the year. They had to cross a river and Cat and Mouse climbed the back of Buffalo who agreed to help them cross. Mouse pushes Cat into the water and is first in the race. “The Cat never arrived at the finish line but remained free” outside of the Zodiac system. The Cat is “an animal that can open doors but they are different from human beings because they never close the doors behind them.” The Mouse is the sign of war and politics and resorts to trickery to be first, it loves winning and maintaining the position of the top dog. The world is ruled by mice.
Each chapter in the book is related to a particular animal in the Chinese Zodiac and the book is a journey that takes one further out into the river of life and philosophy, beginning with waters that reach the ankles, then the knees, the hips, the chest, the face, and the artist is then carried along on its currents and life becomes equivalent to artistic musings, endeavors and fearless expression that opens the minds of those who encounter it and forces them to think and imagine alternate possibilities and realities. The artist is to be a mouse-catcher and mouse-killer and WeiWei realizes this as his forte. The mice trapper-killer is also a giant killer. “Like the cats, we have to keep the door that is called freedom of speech and thought open” when the mice come to close it through trickery, betrayal, show of force, threat of imprisonment, torture, surveillance, death, and exile.
In his memoir, WeiWei lauds writers and activists who paid a heavy price for standing up for art and their beliefs. WeiWe mentions several artists and poets, Chinese and otherwise, like Liu Xiaobo, including Joseph Beuys and his famous performance with a dead hare/rabbit (representing immortality) and the planting of 7000 oaks to signify immortality through the magical idea of nature. WeiWei also speaks of some of his significant works like ‘Sunflower Seeds’, his installation of 1001 wooden chairs at Documenta 12, and Large, his installation at Alcatraz prison.
I am not going to describe more of this book which is multi-layered and will make you pause over each frame seriously and lovingly crafted by the graphic artist Constantini. The text is also weighed well and is, in a sense, sparse but evocative and fragrant, lingering in one’s senses like a time bomb that explodes at unexpected moments setting off cogitative or meditative tremors in one’s being. Through it all resounds and resonates WeiWei’s objective as an artist and storyteller: “What I was interested in was that an artist has to be the beginning of a story, not the end. We should ignite stories and let people meet.”
Well, I’ve read about WeiWei and seen his works second or third-hand, virtually, and remotely. But his memoir allows me to meet him across continents and time and space through text and image and I can carry his thoughts and aesthetic traces in me and let them form fresh rivulets that make me alive to art and magnify freedom of expression which particularly bursts forth when constrained, as the Oulipian writers and artists knew so well. (end)
The book is woven using the 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac - Mouse, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. WeiWei did not have much of a relationship with his father, a poet who joined the Chinese Communist Party but ended up persecuted and punished as a counter-revolutionary. The. story begins in China in the heat of Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution where reading anything other than what the Party determined as politically correct is dangerous. William Blake is banned, for instance, and Weiwei’s memory is of his poet-father telling him not to read. Cut to 2015 and WeiWei is telling his son about his life, and his views on the tangled web of relationships between art, time, folklore, symbols, ideas, and the reality of partaking of a shared humanity.
WeiWei’s son dares to ask questions being curious about everything but WeiWei is nuanced in his responses, even cautious. However, he passes on his acquired and accumulated wisdom to his son through storytelling and providing intricate exegeses of stories from Chinese folklore and the meaning of the Zodiac signs, relating these to the history of China and its politics, the necessity to survive socioeconomic calamities contrived by powerful rulers and to defend the right to freedom of expression which is under threat in a variety of forms and systems in different parts of the world. Art is the true mouthpiece of freedom of expression and art is the Cat that escaped being confined to the Zodiac.
I am a cat lover and so WeiWei’s understanding of the freedom of the Cat and how it came to be as explained by Chinese folklore left me struck by a lightning bolt right between the eyes. The sign of the power to forbid books is the sign of the Mouse and is the sign of betrayal. The Chinese Mouse is the proverbial Judas and represents every tyrannical, representative power that seeks to crush the rights of human beings to self-expression and dissent.
The story goes that Cat and Mouse were good friends. Neither could swim. The Jade Emperor invited all the animals to a race to determine which ones would be keepers of the year. They had to cross a river and Cat and Mouse climbed the back of Buffalo who agreed to help them cross. Mouse pushes Cat into the water and is first in the race. “The Cat never arrived at the finish line but remained free” outside of the Zodiac system. The Cat is “an animal that can open doors but they are different from human beings because they never close the doors behind them.” The Mouse is the sign of war and politics and resorts to trickery to be first, it loves winning and maintaining the position of the top dog. The world is ruled by mice.
Each chapter in the book is related to a particular animal in the Chinese Zodiac and the book is a journey that takes one further out into the river of life and philosophy, beginning with waters that reach the ankles, then the knees, the hips, the chest, the face, and the artist is then carried along on its currents and life becomes equivalent to artistic musings, endeavors and fearless expression that opens the minds of those who encounter it and forces them to think and imagine alternate possibilities and realities. The artist is to be a mouse-catcher and mouse-killer and WeiWei realizes this as his forte. The mice trapper-killer is also a giant killer. “Like the cats, we have to keep the door that is called freedom of speech and thought open” when the mice come to close it through trickery, betrayal, show of force, threat of imprisonment, torture, surveillance, death, and exile.
In his memoir, WeiWei lauds writers and activists who paid a heavy price for standing up for art and their beliefs. WeiWe mentions several artists and poets, Chinese and otherwise, like Liu Xiaobo, including Joseph Beuys and his famous performance with a dead hare/rabbit (representing immortality) and the planting of 7000 oaks to signify immortality through the magical idea of nature. WeiWei also speaks of some of his significant works like ‘Sunflower Seeds’, his installation of 1001 wooden chairs at Documenta 12, and Large, his installation at Alcatraz prison.
I am not going to describe more of this book which is multi-layered and will make you pause over each frame seriously and lovingly crafted by the graphic artist Constantini. The text is also weighed well and is, in a sense, sparse but evocative and fragrant, lingering in one’s senses like a time bomb that explodes at unexpected moments setting off cogitative or meditative tremors in one’s being. Through it all resounds and resonates WeiWei’s objective as an artist and storyteller: “What I was interested in was that an artist has to be the beginning of a story, not the end. We should ignite stories and let people meet.”
Well, I’ve read about WeiWei and seen his works second or third-hand, virtually, and remotely. But his memoir allows me to meet him across continents and time and space through text and image and I can carry his thoughts and aesthetic traces in me and let them form fresh rivulets that make me alive to art and magnify freedom of expression which particularly bursts forth when constrained, as the Oulipian writers and artists knew so well. (end)
April 5, 2024
Uneven in tone and content. I love Ai Weiwei but this disappointed me because it seemed so haphazard, like it had been rushed to print before it was ready. I would have liked to see more of Weiwei’s childhood and his father’s exile.
September 15, 2024
In this graphic memoir Ai Wei examines his personal history and relationship with his homeland, his art, his activism, his family, all through the tales of the Chinese Zodiac. It was fascinating to hear the origins of these tales for the first time, as well as to learn more of Ai Weiwei's story.
His struggle for freedom and outreach is always been something I have admired of him. I was first exposed to Ai Weiwei through a documentary on Netflix that featured him being taken a prisoner by his own country for 'tax evasion'. It was a very insightful documentary and again, I admired his fight for freedom of speech and bringing light to atrocities hidden in the shadows.
Overall, this was a great read and I loved the art illustrations within it. Very well designed and cleverly told.
His struggle for freedom and outreach is always been something I have admired of him. I was first exposed to Ai Weiwei through a documentary on Netflix that featured him being taken a prisoner by his own country for 'tax evasion'. It was a very insightful documentary and again, I admired his fight for freedom of speech and bringing light to atrocities hidden in the shadows.
Overall, this was a great read and I loved the art illustrations within it. Very well designed and cleverly told.
February 5, 2024
After hearing Ai Weiwei speak at an event promoting his newly released memoir, I'd say that this book is very Ai Weiwei. It is filled with philosophy, autobiographical recollections, but meanders through time and is restricted by the themes of the Chinese zodiac animals. Filled with beautiful illustrations and deep inquiry into the role of the artist and the importance of free expression in a society, I feel this book is worth picking up.
April 9, 2024
Extraordinary. quiet domestic scenes reflect on the past, reflect on a particular character attached to different animals of the zodiac. There is a great deal about Mao, as well as the current authoritarian regime, with truly chilling parallels to the moral panic around books we are wading through right now. Weiwei is a gifted artist, which is a sort of background concern here, but his freedom to be expressive is centered.
March 16, 2024
I really enjoyed this! I intend to look up Ai Weiwei's other autobiography and also his artwork. Unlike some Goodreads reviewers, I liked how some of the images were sort of vague and not anchored in reality. So glad I read this.
April 15, 2024
This is not the normal type of graphic novel, I would read. However I like to challenge myself sometimes and step out of my comfort zone. And I really enjoyed it! Ai Weiwei, is such an interesting person, what a life he has lived.
This book is part memoir, part philosophy, and very well written and paced. Fans of Asian culture or politics will likely enjoy this as well.
As for myself I enjoyed this some much I will likely read his other memoir as well.
This book is part memoir, part philosophy, and very well written and paced. Fans of Asian culture or politics will likely enjoy this as well.
As for myself I enjoyed this some much I will likely read his other memoir as well.
May 5, 2024
Everyone should pick this up.
May 24, 2024
As a Chinese American, I really enjoyed this book. He tells the story of how China's politics, mythology, and his own struggle for freedom of speech is expressed through his art.
He uses the 12 zodiac animals as a motif throughout this memoir (which - if you are familiar with Ai Wei Wei's works - is a nod to one of his most famous pieces). With each animal, he naturally weaves in a moment of his life together with an aspect of the animal.
Well done. It is worth the read if you love learning about Chinese mythology and the lasting impacts of the cultural revolution.
He uses the 12 zodiac animals as a motif throughout this memoir (which - if you are familiar with Ai Wei Wei's works - is a nod to one of his most famous pieces). With each animal, he naturally weaves in a moment of his life together with an aspect of the animal.
Well done. It is worth the read if you love learning about Chinese mythology and the lasting impacts of the cultural revolution.
March 21, 2024
Beautifully written and beautifully drawn graphic work by renowned artist. Chapters for each of the 12 Chinese Zodiac signs. "The purpose of Art ... Is the Fight for Freedom."
October 28, 2023
My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Clarkson Potter/ Ten Speed Press for an advance copy of this graphic memoir that tells the life of one man who has lived in not just interesting but very dangerous times.
A young boy grows up in exile and suspicion by his own government, a victim of being the son of someone suspected of dissent. Away from anyone he knows, living literally in a hole in the ground the boy is raised on stories of the past, reading propaganda comic books, with no idea of where life could and will take him. These comics, stories of brave workers in China taught this young boy the power of art. That even in propaganda a truth can be made apparant. The son of a poet, the boy was raised on stories of the Chinese Zodiac and how each animal characteristics effected the people born under the different signs. This boy would grow up to be an artist, a dissident, a documentarian and writer, and memorist in prose and graphic form. And this is his truth. Zodiac: A Graphic Memoir is by the artist Ai Weiwei, with contributions from Elettra Stamboulis and illustrated by Gianluca Costantini. This graphic novel tells the life of Ai Weiwei in a story of essays about the Zodiac, and how outside influences, and personal convictions created the artist and man he is today.
The book begins with Ai Weiwei in the present day discussing why cats were not invited to be a part of the Chinese Zodiac. As we read the book goes back to discuss growing up during the Cultural Revolution, where his father an educator and poet was called out for his impure thoughts, the family exiled far into the interior, and even worse his father's works burned. From there the narratives dips with stories of the Zodiac, and how the 12 animals were chosen, to past historical events, to Ai Weiwei's reading of comic books opened his mind to the power of art, and what art can convey, and even influence. Ai Weiwei discusses his brushes with the law, the abuse he suffered and the fight that he continues to wage. All beautifully illustrated.
A very unique graphic memoir, one that tells a powerful story, but does not let the lessons learned bog down the story with meaning, or importance. This is really a book one can dip into read the section, learn a little, and put down, coming back later when one feels like it. The use of the Zodiac describing people Ai Weiwei interacts with, is different, and a way of looking at totalitarians in a different way. Why do some question, while others just accept. What makes one go on when everyone else is willing to be hammered into place. The artwork really compliments the story. The characters are very lifelike and real. The backgrounds are very crisp from city scenes, to being in cars, to a cat and a mouse crossing the river. As an artist, it must have been different if not difficult to have another artist draw the life Ai Weiwei had lived. However both work very well together telling a very interesting and surprisingly philosophical memoir of a life that is still learning and causing change.
Recommended for people who have always felt that graphic novels have a lot of potential, and can tell stories not only uniquely, but in ways that simple words can not convey. A very different tale, but one that stays with readers.
A young boy grows up in exile and suspicion by his own government, a victim of being the son of someone suspected of dissent. Away from anyone he knows, living literally in a hole in the ground the boy is raised on stories of the past, reading propaganda comic books, with no idea of where life could and will take him. These comics, stories of brave workers in China taught this young boy the power of art. That even in propaganda a truth can be made apparant. The son of a poet, the boy was raised on stories of the Chinese Zodiac and how each animal characteristics effected the people born under the different signs. This boy would grow up to be an artist, a dissident, a documentarian and writer, and memorist in prose and graphic form. And this is his truth. Zodiac: A Graphic Memoir is by the artist Ai Weiwei, with contributions from Elettra Stamboulis and illustrated by Gianluca Costantini. This graphic novel tells the life of Ai Weiwei in a story of essays about the Zodiac, and how outside influences, and personal convictions created the artist and man he is today.
The book begins with Ai Weiwei in the present day discussing why cats were not invited to be a part of the Chinese Zodiac. As we read the book goes back to discuss growing up during the Cultural Revolution, where his father an educator and poet was called out for his impure thoughts, the family exiled far into the interior, and even worse his father's works burned. From there the narratives dips with stories of the Zodiac, and how the 12 animals were chosen, to past historical events, to Ai Weiwei's reading of comic books opened his mind to the power of art, and what art can convey, and even influence. Ai Weiwei discusses his brushes with the law, the abuse he suffered and the fight that he continues to wage. All beautifully illustrated.
A very unique graphic memoir, one that tells a powerful story, but does not let the lessons learned bog down the story with meaning, or importance. This is really a book one can dip into read the section, learn a little, and put down, coming back later when one feels like it. The use of the Zodiac describing people Ai Weiwei interacts with, is different, and a way of looking at totalitarians in a different way. Why do some question, while others just accept. What makes one go on when everyone else is willing to be hammered into place. The artwork really compliments the story. The characters are very lifelike and real. The backgrounds are very crisp from city scenes, to being in cars, to a cat and a mouse crossing the river. As an artist, it must have been different if not difficult to have another artist draw the life Ai Weiwei had lived. However both work very well together telling a very interesting and surprisingly philosophical memoir of a life that is still learning and causing change.
Recommended for people who have always felt that graphic novels have a lot of potential, and can tell stories not only uniquely, but in ways that simple words can not convey. A very different tale, but one that stays with readers.
February 5, 2024
1/27/2024 I still don't understand why I thought Ai Weiwei was primarily an architect, and am still a little baffled that he practices architecture without formal training. Which I totally recognize as being a weird thing to get hung up on! Anyway, full review tk at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
2/5/2024 This gorgeous hardcover graphic memoir by celebrated artist Ai Weiwei is a must-have for his fans, and a must-read for anyone who cares about modern art and, particularly, its intersection with political protest.
For those unfamiliar, Ai Weiwei is a conceptual artist, sometime designer of architecture and longtime political dissident against the Communist government of China. His father Ai Qing was a famous poet who fell afoul of Mao Zedong and was forced into internal exile, living with his wife and young child in subsistence poverty on the fringes of the Gobi Desert. Despite their hard circumstances, Ai Qing did his best to instill history, folklore and a sense of justice into his only child, who would grow up to be the internationally acclaimed artist that he is today. Now Ai Weiwei has produced a book, illustrated by Gianluca Costantini, that loosely ties stories of the Chinese zodiac with important milestones of his own life.
To those not already familiar with Ai Weiwei's life story, the chapters can feel a little disjointed: looking up his history certainly helped me process the vignettes and allusions better. Some of the chapters are more loosely tied to the zodiac than others, tho each strives to ground its connection in a brief but usually excellent explanation of the accompanying myth and characteristics. Tho perhaps I say that as someone familiar with the astrology: a friend with a better grounding in Ai Weiwei's art but less knowledge of the eastern zodiac certainly had the exact opposite impression that I did (hi, Emily!)
Regardless of your familiarity with either subject, this book is a powerful manifesto of the artist's purpose. "Any artist who isn't an activist is a dead artist," he proclaims in the closing pages, having chronicled here not only his well-known political clashes with and persecution by the Chinese government, but also his dissatisfaction with the American idea of civilization, as well as his near-absolutist belief in freedom of speech. His most powerful quote, however, comes much earlier in the book, as he muses on his fears during his detention by the Chinese government:
Gianluca Costantini's art ably illustrates the proceedings, faithfully reproducing likenesses not only of real-life people and places, but also of Ai Weiwei's art. The mythical renditions fit in seamlessly with the biographical. The glorious cover, in warm colors and gold foil, is by far the high point of the illustrations. I would have honestly liked it if the interiors had been in color as well. The black and white linework just doesn't seem to carry the same weight or depth as the text it's accompanying.
Overall, this is a great book for anyone who cares about contemporary art or wants to know more about Ai Weiwei and what made him the person that he is today. It's not the most accessible for anyone unfamiliar with his oeuvre, but it fills in a lot of important points for those getting to know it better.
Zodiac: A Graphic Memoir by Ai Weiwei, with Elettra Stamboulis & Gianluca Costantini was published January 30 2023 by Ten Speed Graphic and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop.
2/5/2024 This gorgeous hardcover graphic memoir by celebrated artist Ai Weiwei is a must-have for his fans, and a must-read for anyone who cares about modern art and, particularly, its intersection with political protest.
For those unfamiliar, Ai Weiwei is a conceptual artist, sometime designer of architecture and longtime political dissident against the Communist government of China. His father Ai Qing was a famous poet who fell afoul of Mao Zedong and was forced into internal exile, living with his wife and young child in subsistence poverty on the fringes of the Gobi Desert. Despite their hard circumstances, Ai Qing did his best to instill history, folklore and a sense of justice into his only child, who would grow up to be the internationally acclaimed artist that he is today. Now Ai Weiwei has produced a book, illustrated by Gianluca Costantini, that loosely ties stories of the Chinese zodiac with important milestones of his own life.
To those not already familiar with Ai Weiwei's life story, the chapters can feel a little disjointed: looking up his history certainly helped me process the vignettes and allusions better. Some of the chapters are more loosely tied to the zodiac than others, tho each strives to ground its connection in a brief but usually excellent explanation of the accompanying myth and characteristics. Tho perhaps I say that as someone familiar with the astrology: a friend with a better grounding in Ai Weiwei's art but less knowledge of the eastern zodiac certainly had the exact opposite impression that I did (hi, Emily!)
Regardless of your familiarity with either subject, this book is a powerful manifesto of the artist's purpose. "Any artist who isn't an activist is a dead artist," he proclaims in the closing pages, having chronicled here not only his well-known political clashes with and persecution by the Chinese government, but also his dissatisfaction with the American idea of civilization, as well as his near-absolutist belief in freedom of speech. His most powerful quote, however, comes much earlier in the book, as he muses on his fears during his detention by the Chinese government:
If you asked me, it was not my freedom I was worried about. I was just afraid of losing my conscience. Or losing my compassion for humanity, losing the freedom to be critical -- those are frightening.
Gianluca Costantini's art ably illustrates the proceedings, faithfully reproducing likenesses not only of real-life people and places, but also of Ai Weiwei's art. The mythical renditions fit in seamlessly with the biographical. The glorious cover, in warm colors and gold foil, is by far the high point of the illustrations. I would have honestly liked it if the interiors had been in color as well. The black and white linework just doesn't seem to carry the same weight or depth as the text it's accompanying.
Overall, this is a great book for anyone who cares about contemporary art or wants to know more about Ai Weiwei and what made him the person that he is today. It's not the most accessible for anyone unfamiliar with his oeuvre, but it fills in a lot of important points for those getting to know it better.
Zodiac: A Graphic Memoir by Ai Weiwei, with Elettra Stamboulis & Gianluca Costantini was published January 30 2023 by Ten Speed Graphic and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop.
March 1, 2024
Thank you so much to Ai WeiWei for providing me with a copy of your graphic memoir via Goodreads Giveaways! I am so grateful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Zodiac" by Ai Weiwei, beautifully illustrated by Gianluca Costantini and co-authored with Elettra Stamboulis, is a poignant and deeply philosophical graphic memoir that earns every bit of its five-star rating. This collaboration between Ai Weiwei and Costantini is a masterpiece that transcends traditional storytelling, offering readers a mesmerizing exploration of art, time, and the profound connection between intellectual freedom and creative expression.
The graphic memoir's foundation lies in Ai Weiwei's childhood experiences during the Cultural Revolution, where government-approved comic books were his only literary companions. This early exposure to the power of graphic storytelling left an indelible mark on Ai Weiwei, and "Zodiac" beautifully captures this transformative influence on his life and artistic journey.
The integration of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs serves as a brilliant thematic framework, allowing Ai Weiwei to interweave ancient folklore with personal narratives, creating a tapestry of reflections on family, career, and the sociopolitical climate in which he crafts his art. The graphic novel's temporal shifts mirror the complexity of memory and our relationship with time, offering readers a multi-layered and immersive reading experience.
The illustrations by Gianluca Costantini are nothing short of captivating. Each page is a visual feast, combining intricate details with a powerful visual language that complements Ai Weiwei's narrative beautifully. The artistic synergy between Ai Weiwei's conceptual depth and Costantini's skillful illustrations creates a truly enchanting work of art.
"Zodiac" is not merely a graphic memoir; it's a contemplative and political journey that invites readers to delve into the profound musings of Ai Weiwei. The exploration of the relationship between art, time, and shared humanity is both thought-provoking and inspiring. The memoir encourages readers to reflect on their own connection to creative expression and the significance of intellectual freedom in shaping our individual and collective identities.
In its pages, "Zodiac" encapsulates the essence of Ai Weiwei's artistic prowess and his unwavering commitment to using his craft as a means of cultural and political commentary. This graphic memoir is not just a book; it's an immersive experience that lingers in the mind, inviting readers to revisit its pages time and again. "Zodiac" is a testament to the transformative power of storytelling and art, making it a must-read for anyone seeking a profound and enriching literary journey.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Zodiac" by Ai Weiwei, beautifully illustrated by Gianluca Costantini and co-authored with Elettra Stamboulis, is a poignant and deeply philosophical graphic memoir that earns every bit of its five-star rating. This collaboration between Ai Weiwei and Costantini is a masterpiece that transcends traditional storytelling, offering readers a mesmerizing exploration of art, time, and the profound connection between intellectual freedom and creative expression.
The graphic memoir's foundation lies in Ai Weiwei's childhood experiences during the Cultural Revolution, where government-approved comic books were his only literary companions. This early exposure to the power of graphic storytelling left an indelible mark on Ai Weiwei, and "Zodiac" beautifully captures this transformative influence on his life and artistic journey.
The integration of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs serves as a brilliant thematic framework, allowing Ai Weiwei to interweave ancient folklore with personal narratives, creating a tapestry of reflections on family, career, and the sociopolitical climate in which he crafts his art. The graphic novel's temporal shifts mirror the complexity of memory and our relationship with time, offering readers a multi-layered and immersive reading experience.
The illustrations by Gianluca Costantini are nothing short of captivating. Each page is a visual feast, combining intricate details with a powerful visual language that complements Ai Weiwei's narrative beautifully. The artistic synergy between Ai Weiwei's conceptual depth and Costantini's skillful illustrations creates a truly enchanting work of art.
"Zodiac" is not merely a graphic memoir; it's a contemplative and political journey that invites readers to delve into the profound musings of Ai Weiwei. The exploration of the relationship between art, time, and shared humanity is both thought-provoking and inspiring. The memoir encourages readers to reflect on their own connection to creative expression and the significance of intellectual freedom in shaping our individual and collective identities.
In its pages, "Zodiac" encapsulates the essence of Ai Weiwei's artistic prowess and his unwavering commitment to using his craft as a means of cultural and political commentary. This graphic memoir is not just a book; it's an immersive experience that lingers in the mind, inviting readers to revisit its pages time and again. "Zodiac" is a testament to the transformative power of storytelling and art, making it a must-read for anyone seeking a profound and enriching literary journey.
February 6, 2024
Ai Weiwei tells us his life, his values, and explains Chinese culture through colorful idioms (playing the zither for a cow, really?) and parallels between recent history and the tales of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. Gianluca Constantini’s drawings are fabulous, perfect for the fables therein.
#1 - The mouse and freedom of speech and thought - Ai Weiwei’s father being punished for his poetry under both regimes, Mao banning books, and the fable that explains why the cat isn’t in the zodiac.
#2 - The cow and love - childhood in exile, son of an enemy of the state, porcelain sunflowers, and Vega and Altair’s forbidden love.
#3 - The tiger and courage - police interrogatories, Liu Xiaobo’s 1989 hunger strike and poetry as a tool of resistance.
#4 - The rabbit and immortality - why artists work, Joseph Beuys’s performance art, writing a fairytale alongside 1001 people, and the fable of the sleeping rabbit.
#5 - The dragon and power - hutong and collecting art, individual vs society, flying a kite in the Forbidden City, and the fable of the painter that loved dragons.
#6 - The snake, doubts and resilience - the Hundred Flowers movement, the three acceptable types of human beings during the cultural revolution, the Sichuan earthquake and the legend of the white snake.
#7 - The horse and discovery - Ferdinand Verbiest aka Nan Huairen, art changes perception, and the legend of the silkworm.
#8 - The sheep and community - pollution in Beijing, police violence in New York, the most powerful tool to change the world, and the return.
#9 - The monkey and trickery - wild years of youth, artistic success, exhibitions being censored and shut down, and the legend of the monkey king.
#10 - The rooster and self-worth - Wittgenstein, the tomb of Genghis Khan, the Ordos 100 utopia, hairstyles, guanxi and the weird connection between Beijing’s Olympic Stadium, loyalty and the cultural revolution.
#11 - The dog and hope - Hsieh Tehching and Pablo Neruda, finding a stick to beat a dog, the gang of four’s fall in 1976 and surviving nostalgia.
#12 - The pig and egoism - smog, police, brain tumors, mending holes before it’s too late and a one-finger farewell.
Disclaimer: I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This didn't influence my opinion in any way.
#1 - The mouse and freedom of speech and thought - Ai Weiwei’s father being punished for his poetry under both regimes, Mao banning books, and the fable that explains why the cat isn’t in the zodiac.
#2 - The cow and love - childhood in exile, son of an enemy of the state, porcelain sunflowers, and Vega and Altair’s forbidden love.
#3 - The tiger and courage - police interrogatories, Liu Xiaobo’s 1989 hunger strike and poetry as a tool of resistance.
#4 - The rabbit and immortality - why artists work, Joseph Beuys’s performance art, writing a fairytale alongside 1001 people, and the fable of the sleeping rabbit.
#5 - The dragon and power - hutong and collecting art, individual vs society, flying a kite in the Forbidden City, and the fable of the painter that loved dragons.
#6 - The snake, doubts and resilience - the Hundred Flowers movement, the three acceptable types of human beings during the cultural revolution, the Sichuan earthquake and the legend of the white snake.
#7 - The horse and discovery - Ferdinand Verbiest aka Nan Huairen, art changes perception, and the legend of the silkworm.
#8 - The sheep and community - pollution in Beijing, police violence in New York, the most powerful tool to change the world, and the return.
#9 - The monkey and trickery - wild years of youth, artistic success, exhibitions being censored and shut down, and the legend of the monkey king.
#10 - The rooster and self-worth - Wittgenstein, the tomb of Genghis Khan, the Ordos 100 utopia, hairstyles, guanxi and the weird connection between Beijing’s Olympic Stadium, loyalty and the cultural revolution.
#11 - The dog and hope - Hsieh Tehching and Pablo Neruda, finding a stick to beat a dog, the gang of four’s fall in 1976 and surviving nostalgia.
#12 - The pig and egoism - smog, police, brain tumors, mending holes before it’s too late and a one-finger farewell.
Disclaimer: I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This didn't influence my opinion in any way.
May 21, 2024
With an air bordering a wide chasm between cynical reflection and comic non-chalance, Ai Weiwei (pronounced Eye Way-Way) delivers a circuitous memior suitable only for a graphic novel. And he has enlisted formidable help in Amnesty International award winning artist Gianluca Costantini and author Elettra Stamboulis to create a fantastical (yet not so, considering Weiwei's life) narrative using the 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac as a foil for his relationship to the freedom of expression, and the various ways society represses it. Each chapter gives homage, more or less, to the character traits of these animals representing human personalities and skills. Weiwei reveals his deep hurt at his mistreatment under state imprisonment. It's a theme he repeats and tries to quash heroically, but he can't hide the pain. I find great joy in the use of his family in the narrative, his son, especially. Once you come to understand that he's standing on the shoulders of giants, it's not hard to also understand how he could drop and smash a 2,000 year old vase from the Han era, using it in photographic performance art to compare it to China's Cultural Revolution, in which people were also broken. Remember, his father was a nationally renowned poet who was 'unfriended,' as we might say in today's vernacular, by Chairman Mao. In other words, he was excommunicated to the Gobi desert.
But wait, that's not all. Weiwei's art extends to the long-running commentary on himself itself. Few of his stature have risked so much for their art, and few are as symbolic and as he is raw. It's like he's not even trying, but he can not help but make art, even if it is seemingly trivial side commentary... I challenge you, go back and read it a second time, view it a third time, and then read it aloud a fourth time. You will find it a crystal within a gem within an oyster on a plate. Weiwei is like Dali, whose surreal sense is connected to Spain's equally revolutionary, equally controlling governmental history. And like Dali, Ai Weiwei must wonder what incredible thing this Ai Weiwei will do when he wakes.
But wait, that's not all. Weiwei's art extends to the long-running commentary on himself itself. Few of his stature have risked so much for their art, and few are as symbolic and as he is raw. It's like he's not even trying, but he can not help but make art, even if it is seemingly trivial side commentary... I challenge you, go back and read it a second time, view it a third time, and then read it aloud a fourth time. You will find it a crystal within a gem within an oyster on a plate. Weiwei is like Dali, whose surreal sense is connected to Spain's equally revolutionary, equally controlling governmental history. And like Dali, Ai Weiwei must wonder what incredible thing this Ai Weiwei will do when he wakes.
October 12, 2023
5 stars
I love Ai Weiwei, and when it comes to his art, I don't think much could sway my devotion. As a result, it's not surprising that I devoured and loved this graphic novel, but I truly think I would have felt that way even if I had come into this knowing only very general, surface level info about this nearly mythical individual.
As the title suggests, the 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac serve as the framing narrative for this intriguing memoir. Ai Weiwei has been very forthcoming about his opinions both in verbal and artistic representations, and all of the familiar characters pepper his memoir in the same way that they infiltrate (or infiltrated, as the case may be) his actual life. He creates a timeline of his experiences, realizations, and general life philosophy not only using the animals of the zodiac, but also incorporating heavy hitters from Chinese mythology and folk tales. Girls who turn to silkworms thanks to horses seeking fulfilled promises? Check! Sun Wukong? Check and CHECK! (Fellow monkeys will find that section as pleasing as I did; I am certain)!
A personal highlight is the description of the Alcatraz exhibit. Having gotten to see that in person a few years ago and finding it deeply affecting, I really appreciated gaining an even deeper understanding of the work and the experience.
Readers who know anything about the focal point of this work will expect outstanding art, a dash of the esoteric, a heap of ego (I'm not knocking it - it's well deserved), and an intricately and thoughtfully woven depiction of a riveting individual. Even high expectations will almost certainly be exceeded here.
The uniqueness of this final product matches what one expects for its subject.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Ten Speed Graphic for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I love Ai Weiwei, and when it comes to his art, I don't think much could sway my devotion. As a result, it's not surprising that I devoured and loved this graphic novel, but I truly think I would have felt that way even if I had come into this knowing only very general, surface level info about this nearly mythical individual.
As the title suggests, the 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac serve as the framing narrative for this intriguing memoir. Ai Weiwei has been very forthcoming about his opinions both in verbal and artistic representations, and all of the familiar characters pepper his memoir in the same way that they infiltrate (or infiltrated, as the case may be) his actual life. He creates a timeline of his experiences, realizations, and general life philosophy not only using the animals of the zodiac, but also incorporating heavy hitters from Chinese mythology and folk tales. Girls who turn to silkworms thanks to horses seeking fulfilled promises? Check! Sun Wukong? Check and CHECK! (Fellow monkeys will find that section as pleasing as I did; I am certain)!
A personal highlight is the description of the Alcatraz exhibit. Having gotten to see that in person a few years ago and finding it deeply affecting, I really appreciated gaining an even deeper understanding of the work and the experience.
Readers who know anything about the focal point of this work will expect outstanding art, a dash of the esoteric, a heap of ego (I'm not knocking it - it's well deserved), and an intricately and thoughtfully woven depiction of a riveting individual. Even high expectations will almost certainly be exceeded here.
The uniqueness of this final product matches what one expects for its subject.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Ten Speed Graphic for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
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