Since his passport was restored to him after four years by the Chinese authorities in July, artist-activist Ai Weiwei has been globetrotting. After teaching at the University of the Arts in Berlin, and inaugurating his show at the Royal Academy in London, Ai was given a warm welcome in Melbourne, Australia, where he unveiled five new commissions at the National Gallery of Victoria on 10 December. The works included 1,500 stacked bicycles, a five-metre-high crystal chandelier, and balloons inspired by Andy Warhol’s Silver Clouds. They are part of the gallery’s biggest ever exhibition, Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei (until 24 April).
The centrepiece is the Letgo Room, a Lego installation featuring portraits of and quotes from 20 Australian human rights activists and assembled by almost 100 local volunteers. Fans donated more than two million plastic bricks after the Danish toymaker refused to supply its product for a political artwork.
His installation, With Flowers (2015), is also making its institutional debut. While Ai was waiting for his passport to be returned, every day he placed a bouquet of fresh flowers in the basket of his bicycle, which stood outside his studio. The NGV will continue this gesture at the museum in honour of those whose freedom remains curtailed.
Ai is sharing the love with Australians. At the exhibition opening he announced he is giving his Lego installation to the NGV’s permanent collection.