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Why Ai Weiwei?


"Currently 'disappeared' artist Ai Weiwei's work, 'Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads', has just been unveiled at the Grand Army Plaza in New York City, with Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaking out on Ai's present detainment. Bloomberg declared that the occasion was 'bittersweet,' and that the lack of information regarding Ai's whereabouts was 'disturbing.'"

From the Shanhaiist

An interview with Ai Weiwei before he was taken into custody can be read here.


Everything I have seen and read about Ai Weiwei points to a man of unflagging integrity and an artist who is willing to take full responsibility for his art and country. I have been following the increasingly threatening tone of the Chinese government's dealings with him and it is maddening. And now he is in custody but noone knows where he is.

His comments in the interview linked above speak directly to something of great concern to the world regarding China's growth:

"TVDW: How much time do you think China is still need for greater respect for human rights? Short or long term?

Ai Weiwei: I do not think the issue of human rights can ever improve without a struggle. The government and the system is radically refusing any discussion. There is no room for it. And with their daily political mistakes, the rights of more and more people are being violated. So they also suppress the people. For this is the price for China’s rapid development. You know, if human rights were respected, China would never develop so quickly. They sacrifice our fundamental rights. And that seems to work, so why would they change?"