Ai Weiwei Sunflower Seeds at Tate Modern

In London the other day I went into Tate Modern to see the new Unilever sculpture exhibition in the Turbine Hall; Sunflower Seeds, by Ai Weiwei.

This is explained on the Tate Modern website by Juliet Bingham, Curator of the Tate Modern:

"Ai Weiwei's Unilever Series commission, Sunflower Seeds, is a beautiful, poignant and thought-provoking sculpture. The thinking behind the work lies in far more than just the idea of walking on it. The precious nature of the material, the effort of production and the narrative and personal content create a powerful commentary on the human condition...Each piece is a part of the whole, a commentary on the relationship between the individual and the masses. The work continues to pose challenging questions: What does it mean to be an individual in today's society? Are we insignificant or powerless unless we act together? What do our increasing desires, materialism and number mean for society, the environment and the future?"

Oh dear. I clearly missed the point - and let my disappointment at not being able to interact with the seeds, walk in them, touch them, sit amongst them, (restrictions introduced for health and safety reasons, it was explained), cloud my perception and interpretation. Surprising when you think that the messages within the exhibit should have resonated with my own ideas on mass consumerism, materialism, human rights, the environment etc. and all dear to my own heart. As you will see in the video I made there! I think I will not be seeking a job as a TV presenter any time soon!!

And I must go there again with fresh eyes and an open and more receptive mind.