Rating of the most influential people in the world of art 2011 Automatic translate

According to the annual rating compiled by the British magazine ArtReview, the first place in the list of the most influential artists of 2011 was taken by dissident artist from China Ai Weiwei (艾 未 未), who was in eleventh position last year and in 43rd in 2009.

Ai Weiwei (艾 未 未)

Journalists involved in the compilation of the rating emphasize that the activities of Ai Weiwei and the influence associated with it have spread far beyond the boundaries of art. His harsh criticism of the political system existing in the PRC and political convictions led to his arrest in April of this year, and he was forced to spend 81 days in prison. This caused heated discussions of his supporters and a wave of protests in many countries of the world. The artist’s fame, his popularity and influence are enhanced by the fact that Ai Weiwei actively takes part in social networks, shares his thoughts and views in the microblogging magazine Twitter.

The most significant project of the Chinese artist was exhibited in the Turbine Hall of the London Gallery of Modern Art Tate Modern, it was called "Sunflower Seeds." 100 million porcelain sunflower seeds covered half of the exhibition hall, and the public who visited the gallery stepped on them. After the completion of the project, 100 kilograms of these famous seeds were sold at Sotheby’s in London for 350 thousand pounds, which is more than 560 thousand US dollars.

The Chinese authorities reacted negatively to the findings of the British magazine ArtReview, saying that the first place in the ranking of the most influential people in the field of art was dictated by political motives. One of the representatives of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Liu Weimin, called the choice of the magazine subjective.

In a response to ArtReview magazine, Mark Rappolt, editor of the publication, emphasized that there were no political motives in their decision. The British said that the influence of Ai Weiwei is felt not only in the world of art. His landmark works and his speeches contribute to the emergence of political discussions in the international arena.

In second place in the ranking according to the ArtReview version is the curator of the Serpentine gallery (London), Hans-Ulrich Obrist, who takes this place again. This year, he shared this position with Julia Peyton-Jones. The merit of the curator Hans-Ulrich Obrist, highly appreciated by the publication, lies in the fact that he managed to turn his gallery into a place where interesting discussions about prominent phenomena of modern art take place.

Third place in the ranking belongs to the director of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Glenn Lowry.

Larry Gagosian, an American gallery owner who headed the list last year, is now in fourth place.

Victor Pinchuk, a Ukrainian businessman and a well-known philanthropist, from last year’s 37th place rose in 35th in 2011. In 2008, V. Pinchuk held the 67th position, and in 2009 - the 53rd.

The ArtReview rating includes 100 influential names. The representative of Russia, gallery owner Daria Zhukova, who is the director of the Garage Center for Contemporary Art, is in 81st place on this prestigious list.