The artwork Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn done by Ai Weiwei in 1995 consists of three photographs portraying the artist holding and then dropping a 2000 year old urn on the ground. In all three photographs Ai Weiwei keeps the same stance and posture, except for the hands that he used to hold the urn. In fact, he emphasizes by spreading his arms out that he let the urn drop, no force was used. He does not cover his face. It is something worth noticing, as that adds a more personal layer of motivation to creating this piece. 

The artwork could also be symbolic. For example, in the first picture, the urn is completely safe in the hands of the artist. In the second the urn is mid air. Ai Weiwei didn't swing it, no force was used in dropping the urn. It hasn't hit the ground yet, but we know it's inevitable. The urn is whole, undamaged. Frozen in time. Yet we cannot do anything about it, we can only watch and anticipate. He simply let it go, took the support away. Which could show how much is in the hands of people as society. If people would just let it go, stop the support, then it would not have anything left to stand on. The third picture portrays Ai Weiwei and the urn at his feet, shattered on impact. It has happened and we are observing the aftermath of the action - of letting go of the object. 

The artwork also shows how something with such value can be so fragile. Nonetheless, destroying the antique urn gave it even more value, as it was baffling as to how one could neglect the traditional value of an ancient object and call the destruction of it — art. But with that, Ai Weiwei brought the urn even more significance, as it became part of his installation. In a way, Ai Weiwei brought the vessel new life, as it had gotten more popular than when it was whole and safe. 

Ai Weiwei encompasses his political convictions in his artwork, making bold decisions such as destroying a vessel of 2000 years, causing controversy among people who view his work. Art like this helped him express himself loudly, leaving many people not indifferent towards his works.

Xiaowen Chen said: “His work shows us anything goes, anything is possible.”

This quote describes Ai Weiwei’s approach to his art, whether it's shattering an ancient artifact, or hand-painting a Coca-Cola logo on another ancient vessel.