Ai Weiwei releases heavy metal single Dumbass
Dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei moved into the musical world yesterday with the release of the first single from his debut album, a song called Dumbass that takes inspiration from his detention in 2011.
The video for the heavy metal song – directed by Ai, with cinematography by acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Doyle – depicts the artist’s 81 days in secret detention in 2011, which sparked an international outcry.
Speaking from his Beijing home, Ai said yesterday: “There was one thing I thought was interesting. When I was detained, there was a paramilitary officer standing there very seriously watching me, and he asked me quietly if I could sing a song.
“I realised that in a situation like that, these guards felt just like me, they wanted to hear songs.”
The lyrics rail against the Chinese authorities, and are also dotted with obscenities.