Sunflower Seeds in the Tate Modern

The Tate Museum in London, England is featuring a new exhibit from Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. The exhibit, called “Sunflower Seeds”, is an installation piece in the Turbine Hall. The seeds cover the entire floor of the hall, creating what Smith calls a sort of “indoor pebble beach”. This piece is a Unilever Commission piece of large-scale installations. Initially, visitors were allowed to wade into the sunflower seeds and interact with the piece. However, the piece was closed to public interaction after it was realized that the dust from the porcelain covered seeds could cause potential health problems. However, the dust has been sent to be tested for its “hazard level” in the hopes that it will be reopened to the public – physically.

The entire purpose of this piece was how it made you feel when wading through the seeds. Smith, who had the privilege of being able to experience the piece physically, described it as, “…the crackle produced by moving through the seeds, [and] the way they slow your progress. Their quite un-sunflowery weight in your hand. The slightly overwhelming sense that each one is unique, like a fingerprint or a grain of sand, thanks to the three or four strokes of hand-painted black on both sides.”Although the question, however trite it may be, of what defines “art”, poses itself, I think Smith answered that question in these few sentences. The art was not necessarily the beauty of the piece, but rather the physical sensations derived from experiencing the piece first hand.

If only the Tate Modern weren’t in England we could all go see this piece as one of our mandatory “outings”. That is, if it were reopened to the public….

Check out the review!
A video about how the seeds were painted. Watch it in English OR Chinese!