In his late teens, he moved to Beijing and in 1993 enrolled at the Oriental Arts College to study painting.
Through some financial and artistic struggles, Li Wei taught himself photography and video and by 1997 he had adopted performance art which has become his preferred form of expression. His work often depicts him in apparently gravity-defying situations.
China-underground: What does photography mean to you?
Li Wei: Photography is the most important thing of my artistic expression, and it is part of my religion.
What do you want to communicate with your photo projects?
“The world is flying” is the theme of my photography, fly is the end of freedom! The body, nature, the imagination and the thoughts are united!
Wei’s works have been published on the cover of the following magazines: Flash Art, Work, Magazin-Frankfurter Rundschau, Out of the Red, Zoom, Juliet, Contemporary, Theater Forum, NY Arts, Fine Arts Literature, Lapiz and Arte Al Limite.
What keep you inspired?
My inspiration comes from my life, and from my dream, and the growth of my learning from others.
What was the first reaction from the public and critics in China?
They’re shocked by the reality of Chinese society in my works.
Your photography projects are a mix of gravity photography and performance art. What is the most complicated aspect of the realization?
Gravity is only an expression but not the core of my works. Flying is the core and the freedom of flying. The most complicated thing is how to fly freely, how to use a proper device to make people fly freely, for example, the crane, the plane, etc.
His work is a mixture of performance art and photography that creates illusions of a sometimes dangerous reality
Did you face some unexpected moments during your photography projects?
Yes, many, such as the sudden change of the climate, and new ideas to be inserted.
“Li Wei states that these images are not computer montages, but that he uses mirrors, metal wires, scaffolding and acrobatics.” Hemmy
Can you share with us any story behind your photos, that makes them special for you?
I worked with many friends from different backgrounds, but the same thing is happiness. In 2012, I did a project in South France, and I was hung up in the sky with a yacht, when we’ve finished shooting, I was accidentally fell into the water with the yacht. And I broke 4 ribs. And I laid on the bed in the hospital for one month and thought about life and art. And I finally realized that what I do is what I like and it is my religion.
Photo courtesy of Li Wei
Topic: performance photographer, conceptual photographer,performance artist Li Wei, famous performance photographers, performance art photographers, performance photography, conceptual photographer China
CHINA-UNDERGROUND. Ciao! My name is Dominique. I’m Italian and I’m proud to be a mix. My father was an Italian chemical engineer and high school teacher, with Greek and Polish heritage. My mother is Haitian, she was high school language teacher, with Dominican, Spanish, French, Portuguese, African and Native American heritage. Being a mix makes me appreciate to want to understand different cultures and lifestyles. I grew up in Italy, lived few years in Haiti, travel around main European capitals, lived seven years in China, six in Spain and UK. Traveling makes me feel that we can learn something from every situation in every part of the world.
