Straight (2015)

In May 2008, a devastating earthquake struck Sichuan province, resulting in thousands of deaths and widespread damage. Many school buildings, built with substandard materials due to corruption, collapsed, tragically killing thousands of children. Ai Weiwei and a team of volunteers traveled to the disaster areas to document the student deaths. After the buildings were cleared, Ai collected tons of twisted rebar from the wreckage, transporting it to his studio in Beijing where it was painstakingly straightened by artisans.