DROPPING A PLATE is an iconoclastic conceptual performance series (2015-2020) appropriating Chinese dissident artist and activist Ai Wei Wei’s work “Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn” (1995). Rather than antique cultural treasures or expensive artworks different normal plates, mass-produced as souvenirs, memorabilia, household goods or plate-like artworks get destroyed or lost in various locations worldwide. It is also a homage to Manuel Salvisberg “Fragments of History” (2012) depicting the world’s foremost collector of contemporary Chinese art and Switzerland’s former ambassador to Beijing Uli Sigg dropping Ai Wei Wei’s famed Coca Cola Urn.
More in: artasiapacific.com/Magazine/78/DevastatingHistory
Dropping a Plate 01 | CHINA [Chinese plate, 1968] | Beijing, 2015
Dropping a Plate 02 | REPUBBLICA [Souvenir plate San Marino] | Republic of San Marino, 2016
Dropping a Plate 03 | AMPHORA [Supermarket plate] | Lipari, Aeolian Islands, Italy, 2017
Dropping a Plate 04 | SERENISSIMA [Venetian Tourist plate] | Berlin, Germany, 2017
Dropping a Plate 05 | PIRATA [Milan Tourist plate] | Allure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean, USA, 2018
Dropping a Plate 06 | AMBASSADRESS [Lady Di memorial plate] | Bridge in Venice, Italy 2019
Dropping a Plate 07 | MONETA [Very Ugly Plates, 2019] | Bank entrance, Austria 2019