Dissident Chinese Artist AI WEIWEI Releases New 'Dumbass' Video
May 22, 2013, 11 years ago
According to NBCNews.com, China’s AI WEIWEI has released a profanity-laced heavy-metal single based on the 81 days the firebrand artist and activist spent in detention.
Written and sung by Ai with music by prominent Chinese rocker Zuoxiao Zuzhou, 'Dumbass' is “is a wall-to-wall simulation of the prison cell that Weiwei was detained in,” a spokeswoman for Ai said.
Lyrics in the song, translated into English, include "**** forgiveness, tolerance be damned, to hell with manners, the low-life’s invincible," and "The field is full of ****ers, dumbasses are everywhere."
A video to accompany the song is available to watch on YouTube below.
Ai’s detention and the hefty $2.4 million tax bill later levied against him led to protests around the world, as well as an upsurge of support in China for the award-winning artist, who was placed under house arrest following his release.
Ai said that recreating his cell and the traumatic experience of being imprisoned – which Ai claims included 24-hour supervision by two military police sergeants, even as he slept and used the bathroom – was a cathartic experience.
The Chinese government has never confirmed the details of Ai’s detention.
Ai’s new album, The Divine Comedy, is expected to be released fully in June on Ai’s website.
Read more at NBCNews.com.
