Ai Weiwei and Bert Benally create Pull of the Moon through an unprecedented international art collaboration
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Friday, December 13, 2024


Ai Weiwei and Bert Benally create Pull of the Moon through an unprecedented international art collaboration
Due to the remoteness and lack of facilities, this event is not open to the public. Photo: Robert Schwan.



SANTA FE, NM.- Ai Weiwei, internationally acclaimed Chinese dissident artist, and Navajo artist Bert Benally through a remarkable collaboration, created Pull of the Moon, a temporary, site-specific art installation in a remote part of Coyote Canyon on the Navajo Nation. Pull of the Moon is part of Navajo TIME (Temporary Installations Made for the Environment), a unique partnership between New Mexico Arts and the Navajo Nation Museum. The installation features earth-based drawings using sand.

Bert Benally said of Pull of the Moon, "The concept is based on Navajo aesthetics, the idea that for the Navajo, art is more about the process rather than the finished product."

The installation was created on June 28, 2014. Due to the remoteness and lack of facilities, this event is not open to the public.

A documentary film entitled The Making of Pull of the Moon by Daniel Hyde and Blackhorse Lowe highlighting the collaboration between Ai Weiwei and Bert Benally at Coyote Canyon opened at MoCNA on July 16, and runs through October 16. A 3D modeling digital landscape has also been created by xRez Studio Inc. and can be viewed in either 2D or 3D formats at MoCNA from July 16-October 16.

"Cultural landscape is very important to this project. That is why Coyote Canyon was chosen with its rich history and traditions. When it is travels to different locations it will carry the power of the initial place with it. One of the objectives of this project is to connect art with cultural landscape," said Navajo Nation Museum Director Manuelito Wheeler.

Pull of the Moon signifies the transformative power of art through international collaboration and is a reminder of the immense challenges faced by many cultures and the capacity for growth and healing from very impactful events. Despite being unable to travel outside of China, Ai Weiwei's boundless spirit and creativity still touch many around the globe. Pottery shards from his Dropping the Vase series have been ground down to a fine powder that will be used in the installation at Coyote Canyon. "The shards were intentionally placed there as evidence of the powder's origin," explained Ai Weiwei, "I think this is an interesting idea because we can only see ourselves, our past, through material evidence such as these shards. It is important to pass on to future generations where we are from and to give a glimpse of the mind and soul of the people living in that time."

"I am very excited about this unparalleled partnership between the State of New Mexico, Navajo Nation and Ai Weiwei that we have been able to create," said Chuck Zimmer, Deputy Director and Public Art Manager of New Mexico Arts. "From the beginning our intention has been that the land itself be the starting point, a blank canvas for artists to transform through their creative process into something larger, something that can bring healing and harmony to the land and to the community. With this as our goal, I cannot think of more appropriate artists to create this installation than Bert Benally and Ai Weiwei."










Today's News

July 22, 2014

Sotheby' opens exhibition of masterpieces by Middle Eastern & international artists

Man Ray, Picabia et La Revue Literature (1922-1924) on view at the Centre Pompidou

Ai Weiwei and Bert Benally create Pull of the Moon through an unprecedented international art collaboration

The 2015 edition of Master Drawings New York announced for January 24-31, 2015

Bonhams announces Ferrari 250 Mille Miglia to be auctioned at Quail Lodge on August 14

Daniel and Estrellita Brodsky endow new curatorships in Met's Modern and Contemporary Art Department

Here's sellin' to you, kid. Casablanca piano up for sale on November 24 by Bonhams

Baixa A Bola! Solo exhibition by multimedia artist Antoni Muntadas on view at Galeria Luisa Strina

Body of fugitive South Korea ferry owner and photographer Ahae 'found by police': report

PIASA to offer Scandinavian-American design and Peder Moos's private collection

Solo exhibition of new works by Chinese artist Ye Linghan opens at Ben Brown Fine Arts Hong Kong

Rio de Janeiro State Culture Secretariat presents artevida: A city-wide exhibition of contemporary art

Unseen: Extensive programme to inspire the collector and photography enthusiast

Painter Audrey Ushenko puts finishing touches on painting created in the James R. Thompson Center

'Jan Frank: Gangster of Love/Crushed' on view at Nahmad Contemporary

The Terrace Exhibitions displays young artists works

Rutgers-Camden researcher builds archive of translated Anglo-Saxon narrative poetry

Group exhibition of six contemporary women artists opens at The Mosaic Rooms, London

'Littoral: John Hubbard in Context' exhibition on view at the Demuth Museum

Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art opens 'Superflow'

4ormat rebrands to Format as it launches new version of its online portfolio builder for artists




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful