Sc4logo-nv5-dk-ccw-377

@LARGE: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz
The Photography of Jon Rendell

The misconception of totalitarianism is that freedom can be imprisoned. This is not the case. When you constrain freedom, freedom will take flight and land on a windowsill. — Ai Weiwei (artist/political activist)

perspectives

February 2015

@LARGE: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz | The Photography of Jon Rendell | Scene4 Magazine  February 2015  www.scene4.com

The Chinese dragon kite is called “With Wind.”

Scene4-4514-cr

Ai Weiwei’s long, winding Chinese dragon kite features stylized renderings of birds and plants that are icons for nations with records of violating human rights and civil liberties.

Scene4-4513-cr

An evening tour afforded luminous golden light from the setting sun.

Scene4-4511-cr
Scene4-4520-cr

“Trace” is the human face of political activism and portrays more than 175 people from around the world who have been detained because of their beliefs or affiliations

Scene4-4502-cr
Scene4-4533-cr
Scene4-4553-cr

You can more easily make out the Lego faces of political prisoners from the gun gallery which lines the 1941 New Industries Building.

Scene4-4544-cr

This work is called “Refraction” and is a giant feather composed of used Tibetan solar cookers. The massive metal feather is clipped by the placement within the confines of such a small space. Even the viewer can only view the piece from the gun gallery through small windows.

Scene4-4651-cr

Sound installations in the cellhouse feature music, poetry and the spoken word by people who have been detained for the expression of their beliefs. Each cell had a solitary stool for the listener.

Scene4-4724-cr

Underneath Alcatraz near the theatre.

Scene4-4675-cr

This shot features light from the full moon. In the cellhouse dining hall visitors were invited to select pre-addressed cards to various political prisoners and write them messages. They could be dropped into a nearby box to be mailed by the gallery to all points overseas.

Scene4-4492-cr

The salt glazed windows give a blurred perspective of the Golden Gate Bridge. More information can be found at www.aiweiweialcatraz.org

Post Your Comments
About This Article Here

Share This Page

View other readers’ comments in Letters to the Editor

Scene4 Magazine - Jon Rendell

Jon Rendell was born into an auteur/photog family in Melbourne, Australia. He was always captivated by shadows and finds himself hard-wired to focusing on the transitory, abstract shapes that come and go with the available light.
Visit his website: www.jonrendell.com. See his Blog.
For more of his photography in Scene4,
Check the Archives
:

Search Jon Rendell

©2015 Jon Rendell
©2015 Publication Scene4 Magazine

 

Sc4logo-nv5-dk

®

February 2015

 

Cover | This Issue | inView | inFocus | inSight | Perspectives | Blogs | inPrint | Comments | Contact Us | Recent Issues | Special Issues | Masthead | Contacts&Links | Submissions | Advertising | Subscribe | Books | Your Support | Privacy | Terms | Archives
Search This ISSUE

Search This Issue

Search The ARCHIVES

Search The Archives

Translate Page

 

 Share This Page

Email

Share in Facebook

Facebook

 


Scene4 (ISSN 1932-3603), published monthly by Scene4 Magazine - International Magazine of Arts and Culture. Copyright © 2000-2015 AVIAR-DKA LTD - AVIAR MEDIA LLC. All rights reserved. Now in our 15th year of publication with Worldwide Readership in 126 Countries and comprehensive archives of 8500 pages.
 

sciam-subs-221tf71
Julius Krinski NUDITY - authorized edition -  Scene4 Books/Aviarpress www.aviarpress.com
Hollywood Red: The Autobiography of Lester Cole  ©2013 Scene4 Books  www.aviarpress.com
Character Flaws by Les Marcott at www.aviarpress.com
Bookends by Carla Maria-Verdino Süllwold - Scene4 Magazine - www.scene4.com
Thai Airways at Scene4 Magazine