Ai Weiwei – "Fairytale Chair" (2007) | Contemporary Conceptual Art

Medium: Wood
Condition: Good

A Symbol of Migration, Identity, and Cultural Dialogue

The "Fairytale Chair" is an iconic work by internationally acclaimed contemporary Chinese artist Ai Weiwei (b. 1957, Beijing), embodying his exploration of tradition, transformation, and social commentary. Part of the groundbreaking installation "Fairytale", exhibited at Documenta XII in Kassel, Germany (2007), these chairs hold deep cultural and political significance, symbolizing the movement of people, ideas, and artistic expression between East and West.

Historical & Conceptual Significance

• "Fairytale" Installation (2007): Ai Weiwei invited 1,001 Chinese citizens to Kassel, Germany, mirroring the mass migration of people and objects across geopolitical boundaries. Each participant was paired with a Qing dynasty chair, reinforcing the relationship between historical heritage and contemporary narratives.
• The 1,001 chairs were displayed throughout Documenta XII, symbolizing absence and presence, tradition and displacement, individual and collective experience.
• Ai Weiwei described this project as a way to create a “micro-world” and social network through art, where ordinary people could experience a moment of change—both socially and politically.”

Cultural & Political Impact

• Following Ai Weiwei’s 81-day detainment by the Chinese government in 2011, these chairs became symbols of resistance, used in activist sit-ins, reinforcing their ongoing relevance as tools of protest and dialogue.
• Since 2007, chairs from the "Fairytale" installation have been displayed in major exhibitions, including the Yorkshire Sculpture Park (2014), serving as physical markers of cultural exchange, migration, and historical narrative.

A Coveted Piece of Contemporary Art

This Fairytale Chair is more than furniture—it is a piece of conceptual art that engages with issues of identity, migration, and cultural heritage. Its minimalist yet profound form reflects Ai Weiwei’s signature use of everyday objects to provoke thought, challenge political structures, and celebrate human connection.

Whether as a museum-quality artwork, a collector’s statement piece, or an investment in contemporary art history, this chair remains an enduring testament to Ai Weiwei’s artistic and political legacy.