Ai Weiwei's First Archaeological Museum Show Opens in Athens
Ai Weiwei's exhibition at the Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens marks his first show in an archaeological museum. The Chinese artist, known for recent large-scale installations using life jackets and dinghies addressing refugee crises in Berlin, Vienna, and upcoming in Florence, created works in dialogue with the permanent collection. The exhibition resulted from close collaboration with the museum staff and Ai's residency on Lesbos, a key arrival point for refugees. A video by Nowness offers a tour and the artist's commentary on his humanitarian vision. The museum will donate 10% of proceeds from the show, running until October 30, to NGOs Médecins Sans Frontières and METAdrasi.
Key facts
- Ai Weiwei's first exhibition in an archaeological museum is at the Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens.
- The exhibition dialogues with the permanent collection.
- Ai Weiwei recently created refugee-themed installations in Berlin, Vienna, and will in Florence.
- The artist collaborated closely with the museum staff and had a temporary studio on Lesbos.
- A video by Nowness features the exhibition and Ai Weiwei's commentary.
- The museum will donate 10% of proceeds to Médecins Sans Frontières and METAdrasi.
- The exhibition runs until October 30.
- Ai Weiwei's work uses life jackets and dinghies to address the refugee crisis.
Entities
Artists
- Ai Weiwei
Institutions
- Museum of Cycladic Art
- Nowness
- Médecins Sans Frontières
- METAdrasi
Locations
- Athens
- Greece
- Berlin
- Vienna
- Florence
- Lesbos