1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows

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In his anticipated memoir, Ai Weiwei, a renowned artist and activist, narrates a century-long saga of China through his extraordinary life and his father's legacy, Ai Qing, the nation's celebrated poet. Recognized as 'the most important artist working today' by the Financial Times and an 'eloquent and unsilenceable voice of freedom' by the New York Times, Ai Weiwei presents a remarkable history of China while illuminating his artistic journey. Once close to Mao Zedong, Ai Weiwei's father was labeled a rightist during the Cultural Revolution and banished to a desolate area known as 'Little Siberia,' where he endured hard labor. Ai Weiwei shares his childhood in exile and his challenging decision to leave his family to study art in America, where he formed friendships with figures like Allen Ginsberg and drew inspiration from Andy Warhol. With candor and humor, he recounts his return to China, his rise from obscurity to art world superstar and human rights activist, and how living under a totalitarian regime has influenced his work. His sculptures and installations have reached millions worldwide, and he contributed to the design of the iconic Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium in Beijing. His political activism has made him a target of Chinese authorities, culminating in months of secret detention in 2011. For the first time, Ai Weiwei delves into the roots of his creativity and political beliefs through his life story and that of