In the midst of a humanitarian crisis that is often blurred by political posturing and manoeuvring, humanitarian, activist, filmmaker, writer, curator and artist, Ai Weiwei has thoughtfully responded to the refugee crisis through his new body of work that was unveiled today at the Museum of Cycladic Art (MCA) in Athens. ‘Ai Weiwei at Cycladic’ is a tribute, marked with respect, love, sensitivity and hope for the future. He shines a light on all who have suffered, who are suffering and who have passed. The work speaks volumes and collectively it says, “You are not forgotten.” “You do matter.” “I will make them listen.”
We should all listen.
As Ai Weiwei settled into a crowded press conference today, he took his phone out to capture us capturing him. He talked of all he saw, the harrowing images, and the shameful conditions. The desperation of people trying to escape. The old and the small who were stuck in “no mans land” between the borders of Jordan and Syria.
Ai Weiwei captures the media at the press conference. Photograph: Why Athens.
“I try to speak their language because they do not have a voice,” he said. He described Europe’s treatment of refugees as “shameful and immoral” but commended the kindness shown by Greece and said, “Greece has opened its arms and showed a very elegant gesture of not pushing people into the ocean. It has a long history of humanity and this will be remembered in history.”
Weiwei has conducted extensive research, establishing a workshop on the island of Lesbos in late 2015. He has spoken to politicians, refugees and people smugglers on all sides of the borders and has captured around 600 hours of video footage that will form part of a feature length documentary, to be released next year.
Standing Figure, 2016. A life size marble work inspired by semi-abstract ancient Cycladic figures found in the MCA. Photograph: Paris Tavitian, courtesy of MCA.
Exhibiting for the first time at a Greek museum, it is a significant cultural coup for the city of Athens. His new work has drawn inspiration from the ancient artefacts that form part of the permanent exhibition at the MCA, as well as his own personal account of his time on Lesbos. MCA Contemporary Art Program Advisor, Aphrodite Gonou said it is a “unique moment” in the museum’s history, “this kind of dialogue between works has never been seen before.”
Ten per cent of proceeds from the exhibition will be donated to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and METAdrasi, who are providing valuable aid to the refugee crisis.
Published: 19th May 2016.
Exhibition details: Museum of Cycladic Art, 20th May – 30th October 2016.
Tyre, 2016. Rendered in marble, Weiwei turns an ordinary object from the refugee crisis into an iconic symbol of life and death. Photograph: Paris Tavitian, courtesy of MCA.
Tear Gas Canister, 2016. A political statement that points to the clashes between Macedonian police and refugees. Photograph: Why Athens
An unfiltered and personal perspective. Weiwei has taken thousands of images of his time in Lesbos, from his phone. They are combined into a montage that fills an entire wall. Photograph: Why Athens
Ai Weiwei takes a selfie with his marble sculpture Standing Man, 2016. Photograph: Paris Tavitian, courtesy of MCA.
Weiwei's Flags, 2016. Greece, Europe and a third flag, 'Shadow' are mounted high above the entrance of the museum. The colours silver and yellow denote the thermal blankets given to refugees on arrival to Lesbos. 'Shadow' (middle flag) bears the outline of Aylan Kurdi, the three-year-old Syrian boy whose body washed up on a Turkish beach last year. Photograph: Why Athens
