{"product_id":"zodiac-a-graphic-memoir-9781984862990","title":"Zodiac: A Graphic Memoir","description":"\u003cb\u003eIn this beautifully illustrated and deeply philosophical graphic memoir, legendary artist Ai Weiwei explores the connection between artistic expression and intellectual freedom through the lens of the Chinese zodiac.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAs a child living in exile during the Cultural Revolution, Ai Weiwei often found himself with nothing to read but government-approved comic books. Although they were restricted by the confines of political propaganda, Ai Weiwei was struck by the artists' ability to express their thoughts on art and humanity through graphic storytelling. Now, decades later, Ai Weiwei and Italian comic artist Gianluca Costantini present \u003ci\u003eZodiac\u003c\/i\u003e, Ai Weiwei's first graphic memoir. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eInspired by the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac and their associated human characteristics, Ai Weiwei masterfully interweaves ancient Chinese folklore with stories of his life, family, and career. The narrative shifts back and forth through the years--at once in the past, present, and future--mirroring memory and our relationship to time. As readers delve deeper into the beautifully illustrated pages of \u003ci\u003eZodiac\u003c\/i\u003e, they will find not only a personal history of Ai Weiwei and an examination of the sociopolitical climate in which he makes his art, but a philosophical exploration of what it means to find oneself through art and freedom of expression. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eContemplative and political, \u003ci\u003eZodiac \u003c\/i\u003ewill inspire readers to return again and again to Ai Weiwei's musings on the relationship between art, time, and our shared humanity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Ten Speed Graphic\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 01\/30\/2024\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781984862990\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 176\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.25lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 11\/15\/2023\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Ai Weiwei","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43378457706677,"sku":"9781984862990","price":24.64,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_1b693637-3f95-4eeb-9fc5-dc749241197e.jpg?v=1701754795","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/zodiac-a-graphic-memoir-9781984862990","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}