Chinese Artist Still Detained
While driving to my final destination this morning, I was listening to the BBC and heard “artist is asking galleries to close their doors for one day.” So, of course, that peaked my interest.
Ai Weiwei at his Tate Museum installation, sunflower seed carpet
Artist Ai Weiwei (pronounced I Wayway) has been detained since April for “Economic Crimes” and according to articles has had no contact with his family, nor access to a lawyer.
But now his friend and fellow artist Anish Kapoor is making a plea for galleries and museums worldwide to protest by closing their doors for a full day. Although, there is no date set since he will finish out his time in France where he has an installation dedicated to Ai. In the BBC interview, Anish said that we’ve got to start somewhere, when he was asked why galleries should close their doors. It’s a start, but I think since he’s getting so much press on this there should have been a date set.
Read More: Where is Ai Weiwei?
The Pine Cone Gentleman 
Hi there! Thank you for that post. Brilliant just brilliant.
I am actually curating a project in London for Ai Weiwei’s capture-awareness and release. It is called The Chinese Art Project, http://wp.me/p1yUbw-15, and I am looking to do an exhibition using art as a symbol of unique interpretation and freedom of expression. Hopefully I’ll have 25 peices of art to exhibit from 5 unique artists. You’d be so welcome to come! I guess it’s about pulling together and standing for our rights. Especially in an age of social media power. I’ve put a project video plan up here http://www.youtube.com/ChineseWhisperProj it would be great if you could find an outlet to let readers know.
Many thanks! Keep up the good work.
Mr Taurus.
p.s. i’m on twitter: ChineseTwhisper
p.p.s. I’ve added your blog to my links on the site
A new documentary about Ai Weiwei is coming out and the director was on Colbert Report Last night: http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/386468/may-16-2011/alison-klayman