“Study of Perspective” is a photographic series produced by Ai Weiwei between 1995 and 2017 (still in production). In the series, there is Ai’s arm stretched forward with the middle finger raised towards institutions, landmarks, and significant monuments worldwide. These images are provocative imitations of tourist photos and encourage people around the world to question their allegiance to governments and institutions. This series speaks of Ai’s struggle for freedom of speech, emancipation, and democratic values, showcasing his spirit as an artist-activist. The first shot of this series features Tiananmen Square in 1995, the location where hundreds of unarmed protesters were killed during the protests in 1989. Subsequently, the series will feature the White House at Capitol Hill, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and the Reichstag in Berlin. The raised middle finger gesture is the focal point of the photo, as objects closer to the eye appear larger. The series gained worldwide recognition after Ai published the images on his blog (2005-2009). Due to the popularity it gained, Ai was detained and interrogated by the Chinese police in 2014 regarding the photograph taken at Tiananmen Square. After Ai’s detention, other people also started to publish similar images on the Internet as a sign of solidarity with the artist. Indeed, Ai’s work not only brought attention to a series of important and challenging social issues but also inspired other protests through art. “Study of Perspective – Tiananmen Square” is entirely banned from all Chinese media.
