Studio Visit: Ai Weiwei. The upcoming exhibition (opening 3 April 2014 at Berlin's Martin-Gropius-Bau) by the multi-talented and outspoken Ai Weiwei promises to be his biggest solo show yet.
Spanning over 3,000 square meters in 18 rooms, a huge variety of the Chinese artist's works will be on display, many of which have been especially created for the Martin-Gropius-Bau. The exhibition—whose pieces are yet to be revealed—is called "Evidence," and is a reflection upon Ai Weiwei's own experiences. It also recalls the idea of art as a practice of making people regain and reclaim their autonomy, have agency and live consciously in a networked world.
We met with Ai Weiwei at FAKE, his studio/residence in north-east Beijing's Caochangdi art district. The first encounter—before FAKE's green gate, surrounded by surveillance cameras—is the artist's floral bike protest. The word "evidence" itself is a reflection of the contradiction the artist has been experiencing in his own life. Ai Weiwei freed by Chinese authorities. By Barbara Pollack Ai Weiwei is back home in his gray brick studio complex in Beijing, but that hardly means he's free.
After 80 days of detention in an unknown location with no formal charges brought against him, he has been released on bail, having "confessed to tax evasion and destroying documents," according to Chinese news agencies. His first words to reporters meeting him at his doorstep gently informed them that he cannot give interviews. For the next year, he will be carefully watched, unable to leave Beijing, most probably unable even to tweet, until his case is finally resolved. The Chinese term for Ai Weiwei's status is “guobao houshen,” literally meaning “obtaining a guarantee pending trial.” This result is remarkable, given the widespread arrests that have taken place this year, as China has tried to insure control against a "Jasmine Revolution" like the widespread unrest in the Middle East.
But in the current situation, China is in a win-win position. Ai Weiwei's first words after being released. Artist Ai Weiwei released on bail by Chinese police. China has released world-famous artist Ai Weiwei on bail after more than two-and-a-half months of detention and a sustained international campaign calling for his freedom.
"I'm back with my family," Ai told the Guardian. "I am very happy. I'm fine. " He said he could not comment further on his detention as he had been released on bail, adding "please understand". Beijing police said they had released the 54-year-old "because of his good attitude in confessing his crimes" and a chronic illness, Xinhua news agency reported. Chine: libération surprise d'Ai Weiwei, au prix d'une "confession" "Je vais bien.
Je suis de retour à la maison. Et je suis libre. Mais je ne peux pas parler. S'il vous plaît comprenez-le", a, de son côté, déclaré Ai Weiwei au site en ligne du quotidien populaire allemand Bild. Son avocat, Liu Xiaoyuan, avait indiqué à l'AFP, peu après minuit, avoir reçu un SMS de l'artiste confirmant qu'il avait été libéré et lui disant simplement "merci". Il a été libéré sous caution, a annoncé l'agence de presse Chine nouvelle, expliquant cette nouvelle inattendue par "la bonne attitude" d'Ai Weiwei qui "a confessé les crimes" d'évasion fiscale et par une maladie chronique non précisée chez cet homme corpulent de 54 ans. Cet artiste avant-gardiste en délicatesse avec le régime communiste ces dernières années, avait été arrêté le 3 avril au moment où il tentait de prendre un avion pour Hong Kong, et mis au secret, sans qu'aucune charge contre lui ne soit rendue publique.
Une compagnie contrôlée par Ai Weiwei, la "Beijing Fake Cultural Development Ltd. Ai Weiwei, Dissident Chinese Artist, Is Released. China artist Ai Weiwei released on bail. 22 June 2011Last updated at 18:15 ET Mr Ai said he could not speak to the media about his case Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei has returned home having been freed after more than two months' detention.
He was bailed late on Wednesday after pleading guilty to charges of tax evasion, Xinhua news agency said. An outspoken critic of China's human rights record, his arrest in April prompted a global campaign for his release. The 54-year-old said he was back home and in good health in a phone interview with the BBC. "I am already home, released on bail, I can't talk to media but I am well, thanks for all the media attention," he said. Mr Ai was detained as he boarded a Beijing flight bound for Hong Kong. Perhaps most famous for helping design the Bird's Nest stadium that became the centre-piece for Beijing's 2008 Olympics, he was held at a secret location without access to a lawyer.