Articles by An Xiao

Art 2.1: Creating on the Social Web

Translating Ai Weiwei: Bringing Chinese Social Media Art to the English Twittersphere, Part 2

Art 2.1: Creating on the Social Web

Translating Ai Weiwei: Bringing Chinese Social Media Art to the English Twittersphere, Part 2

Ai Weiwei. Sunflower Seeds, 2010. Installation view, Turbine Hall, Tate Modern, London. Photo courtesy of Aaron Chen. An Xiao follows up on yesterday’s post and continues her discussion with Bird’s …

Art 2.1: Creating on the Social Web

Art 2.1 | Translating Ai Weiwei: Bringing Chinese Social Media Art to the English Twittersphere, Part 1

Art 2.1: Creating on the Social Web

Art 2.1 | Translating Ai Weiwei: Bringing Chinese Social Media Art to the English Twittersphere, Part 1

Artist Ai Weiwei in conversation with Tate Modern curator Katie Hill, October 2010. Photo by An Xiao. This past summer, Jennifer Ng and I launched Bird’s Nest: Ai Weiwei in …

Flash Points

Art Under the Influence of Others

Flash Points

Art Under the Influence of Others

In 1996, Jennifer Ringley took a video camera and placed it on her computer.  The camera was nothing new: a simple web camera with light broadcasting capabilities.  She signed on, …

Art 2.1: Creating on the Social Web

The Limitations of Twitter-Based Art: An Interview with Performance Artist Nate Hill

Art 2.1: Creating on the Social Web

The Limitations of Twitter-Based Art: An Interview with Performance Artist Nate Hill

Earlier this summer, performance artist Nate Hill made an announcement: Following on the heels of Death Bear (RIP), Mr. Dropout is an unexpected continuation on detachment. While Death Bear aided …

Both wearing headsets, a visitor and I are able to share in the same experience of the dinosaur.

Art 2.1: Creating on the Social Web

Dinosaurs and Mummies: Augmenting the Art Experience at Onishi Gallery, Chelsea

Art 2.1: Creating on the Social Web

Dinosaurs and Mummies: Augmenting the Art Experience at Onishi Gallery, Chelsea

This story starts with a dinosaur. It’s a bipedal one, sort of like a mini Tyrannosaurus, running around by my feet.  My friend laughs as he sees it scurry beneath …

Aaron Zinman, the artist, designer and technologist behind Personas

Art 2.1: Creating on the Social Web

Connections at MIT Museum

Art 2.1: Creating on the Social Web

Connections at MIT Museum

I have never met Aaron Zinman. Not in person, anyway. I’ve spoken with him a few times on the phone, and we’ve chatted via email and Twitter, but I’ve never …

Art 2.1: Creating on the Social Web

“Rachel Is” | An Interview with Rachel Perry Welty

Art 2.1: Creating on the Social Web

“Rachel Is” | An Interview with Rachel Perry Welty

Appropriately enough, I first met conceptual artist Rachel Perry Welty via social media, when word spread about her Facebook-based performance, “Rachel is.” On March 11, 2009, from 7:35 a.m. to …

Art 2.1: Creating on the Social Web

Kickstarting Creative Projects: An Innovative Micro-Giving Site, Part 2 of 2

Art 2.1: Creating on the Social Web

Kickstarting Creative Projects: An Innovative Micro-Giving Site, Part 2 of 2

Following up on yesterday’s post, An continues her conversation with Yancey Strickler and sums up her experience of fundraising via Kickstarter.—Ed. An Xiao: Tell me a little more about the …

Art 2.1: Creating on the Social Web

Kickstarting Creative Projects: An Innovative Micro-Giving Site, Part 1 of 2

Art 2.1: Creating on the Social Web

Kickstarting Creative Projects: An Innovative Micro-Giving Site, Part 1 of 2

July 7, 2009. It’s the middle of summer, and I’ve just heard from the folks at the DUMBO Arts Center that my installation proposal, Phone-Tastic View, has been approved for …

Flash Points

The Cosplay Ethic

Flash Points

The Cosplay Ethic

I’ll let you in on a secret: I’m a bit of a cosplay fanatic. Yes, these days I sport DKNY glasses and sleek monochromatic clothing, but my urban fashionability is …

Art 2.1: Creating on the Social Web

@Platea: Art in the Web 2.0 Ethos

Art 2.1: Creating on the Social Web

@Platea: Art in the Web 2.0 Ethos

Social technologies have been around for decades, but mainstream use of social media platforms has grown exponentially only over recent years. This column explores uses of social media platforms relevant …