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Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei is a Chinese dissident artist, who now resides in Germany.

He was arrested and detained for "economic crimes" in 2011, but later released. This page collates DW's latest content related to Ai Weiwei.

Ai Weiwei on surviving captivity

Ai Weiwei on surviving captivity 26.11.2021

The Chinese artist was in Berlin to discuss his new memoir, "1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows," which also vividly depicts his father's 20 years of internment.
Hong Kong's new M+ museum accused of censorship

Hong Kong's new M+ museum accused of censorship 11.11.2021

As the M+ museum in Hong Kong opens, it has been criticized for giving in to pressure from Beijing. It will not exhibit certain works by dissident artist Ai Weiwei.
Ai Weiwei's new film goes behind the scenes of the Wuhan lockdown

Ai Weiwei's new film goes behind the scenes of the Wuhan lockdown 27.08.2020

The Chinese artist's latest documentary, "Coronation," was filmed remotely by a team of amateur Wuhan filmmakers. Ai Weiwei spoke to DW about how an authoritarian state stopped the COVID-19 outbreak in its tracks.

Artists Ai Weiwei and Fang Fang's depictions of the Wuhan lockdown

Artists Ai Weiwei and Fang Fang's depictions of the Wuhan lockdown 27.08.2020

Artist Ai Weiwei created the film "Coronation" to reflect what happened in Wuhan, the first city in the world to deal with COVID-19.
Productive solitude: Artists in the corona crisis

Productive solitude: Artists in the corona crisis 07.04.2020

Isolation has long inspired artistic creativity: From contemporaries like Ai Weiwei and Igor Levit to nineteenth century literati like Victor Hugo and Alexander Pushkin, lockdowns have long inspired great art.
Ai Weiwei's presents his 'Manifesto without Borders'

Ai Weiwei's presents his 'Manifesto without Borders' 07.11.2019

"Every artist is an activist," says Ai Weiwei, who presents himself as a conceptual artist and a writer. He addressed his relationship to Germany at his recent book launch in Berlin.

Munich gallery protest did not end in eviction, Ai Weiwei asserts

Munich gallery protest did not end in eviction, Ai Weiwei asserts 14.09.2019

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has denied being "thrown out" of a Munich gallery after protesting with staff fearing layoffs. Media had shown Ai debating with Bernhard Spies, commercial director of the Haus der Kunst.
Ai Weiwei thrown out of Munich gallery

Ai Weiwei thrown out of Munich gallery 14.09.2019

The Chinese artist was asked to leave the Haus der Kunst (House of Art) after voicing support for staff facing redundancy. Ai had fled to Germany after his human rights activism landed him in jail in his native China.
'China is in uncharted territory with Hong Kong protests': Ai Weiwei

'China is in uncharted territory with Hong Kong protests': Ai Weiwei 07.08.2019

Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei has told DW that Beijing could "crush" Hong Kong protesters anytime. The two sides have reached a deadlock in the conflict, he said.
How Chinese art became political

How Chinese art became political 02.06.2019

Following the so-called Cultural Revolution, Chinese artists started exploring new forms of expression. Oftentimes they would run into considerable obstacles and challenges they had to work around or overcome altogether.
Ai Weiwei sues Volkswagen for copyright infringement

Ai Weiwei sues Volkswagen for copyright infringement 22.05.2019

The Berlin-based Chinese artist is suing Volkswagen in Denmark for an ad that shows one of his installations made of discarded life jackets used by migrants.
Europe's largest Ai Weiwei show asks: 'Where is the revolution?'

Europe's largest Ai Weiwei show asks: 'Where is the revolution?' 20.05.2019

For the Chinese-born, Berlin-based artist, art and politics are one and the same. A double exhibition in Dusseldorf shows off his work from the past 10 years, much of it focusing on migration and political repression.
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei's segment cut from 'Berlin, I Love You'

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei's segment cut from 'Berlin, I Love You' 18.02.2019

Producers of the film 'Berlin, I Love You' have cited Chinese influence as the reason they cut Ai Weiwei's segment. The artist told DW that the Berlin International Film Festival suggested his section be removed.
Ai Weiwei: 'Refugee crisis is a political tool for populists'

Ai Weiwei: 'Refugee crisis is a political tool for populists' 25.12.2018

In an interview with DW, China's dissident artist Ai Weiwei has said that some groups are trying to incite hatred against immigrants in Germany and Europe, and that the world needs to rethink the idea of humanity.
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei says authorities demolished Beijing studio

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei says authorities demolished Beijing studio 04.08.2018

One of China's best-known artists and government critics, Ai Weiwei, says workers have demolished his studio in Beijing. He said the demolition occurred without notice.
China: When poetry saves you from the factory

China: When poetry saves you from the factory 30.05.2018

Losers or winners of globalization? At the Berlin poetry festival, Ai Weiwei and Yang Lian connect through verse and on a T-shirt, while a Chinese factory worker becomes a literary star through her migrant worker poetry.
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