Ai Weiwei at
the Cycladic
Cycladic
Arguably the most famous artist alive, Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei launched an exhibition at The Cycladic museum in Athens focusing on the refugee crisis.
Ai Weiwei at Cycladic is the Chinese artist’s first major exhibition in Greece. The exhibition introduces Ai’s practice to Greek audiences through some of his most canonical works displayed among the museum’s permanent collection, and highlights his recent activities in Greece documenting the refugee crisis. The exhibition looks at Ai’s recurring use of particular materials which draw parallels with Greek counterparts, such as wood and marble. Amongst the iconic pieces on display are Divina Proportione, Mask, Cao and Grapes, alongside new works such as Standing Figure, a life-size sculpture made entirely out of marble which alludes to a style prevalent in the Early Cycladic era.
Following an invitation by the MCA in December 2015, Ai travelled to the Greek island of Lesvos to document the unfolding refugee crisis. A number of new works created in response to his time in the camps are displayed throughout the MCA, such as his marble Tyre and Zodiac Boat which convey the perils and poor living conditions which hundreds of thousands of refugees are suffering. Iphone Wallpaper (2016) presents a collage of over 12,030 images taken by Ai on his phone between January 2016 and April 2016 during the height of his stay on the island of Lesvos. 10% of all exhibition proceeds went towards two NGOs providing valuable aid to the refugees; Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Greek NGO METAdrasi.
