Ai Wei Wei: Descending Light(2007)

Ai Wei Wei is often a controversial artist. However, my favorite works of his are those that seem to lack meaning before you look deeper. "Descending Light" is visually pleasing automatically due to its "Chinese red" color scheme- that was the first thing I noticed. The second thing I noticed was the abnormal positioning of the chandelier. Of course a chandelier is supposed to be hanging down from one point or area of a ceiling or overhead structure, depending on gravity to give it its shape. However, with these seven brass tears covered in 60,000 "ruby red" crystals and electric light bulbs, Wei Wei has changed the way we look at these pieces of art. The way he has manipulated his chosen mediums to be so still and yet have so much movement is like a loud room sounding silent. Lastly, I loved how he caught the moment before destruction as if the chandelier was falling to its death; where it would regain the sound that went silent.