Ai Weiwei’s new project in Lesbos: Making art that responds to the refugee crisis

A memorial to asylum seekers — After his studio in Shanghai was torn down and his studio in Beijing bugged, Ai has opened up a new space to make art about the plight of refugees.

“A lot of people have lost their lives under the waves,” Ai Weiwei said from Lesbos. “We need a memorial.”

Ai, the megastar Chinese artist and human rights activist who has long been a vocal critic of China’s leaders, has begun a long-term project on Lesbos drawing attention to the plight of refugees. Posting a series of photos on his Instagram, he’s also opened a studio on the island, where he’ll be working on several projects with a handful of students.

Weiwei Screen 6

The Greek island has become a first port of call for many asylum seekers entering Europe – a risky journey that’s been the source of so many capsized boats and drownings that the island has started to run out of space to bury people. Many migrants on the island arrive via Turkey, coming from Syria and other war-torn countries.

Weiwei Screen 5

“As an artist, I have to relate to humanity’s struggles … I never separate these situations from my art,” he told The Guardian. Ai has been sharing photos and videos of asylum seekers, hypothermia blankets, rubber dingys and life vests as a way of drawing attention to their plight. He’s also posted several photos of aid workers on the island.

Weiwei Screen2

A continual thorn in the side of the Chinese government, Ai’s Shanghai studio was demolished in 2010 by Chinese authorities. As a stand of defiance, he arranged a party to mark the occasion but was unable to attend after being detained and placed under house arrest (although 400 people still attended the studio bash). In October, Ai posted photos and videos of listening devices he had found planted in his Beijing studio. Today, splitting his time between Europe and China, Ai also works out of a space in Berlin – a subterranean studio converted from an old brewery that’s “a metaphor for being underground,” he says.

Weiwei Screen 7

Now, having set his sights on events in Lesbos – a symbolic centrepoint for the ongoing refugee crisis – Ai seems to be putting down ever firmer roots on European soil and is keen to comment on injustices beyond China’s reach. More than a million migrants and asylum seekers left their homes and came to Europe in 2015, according to the BBC. “The border is not in Lesbos, it really [is] in our minds and in our hearts,” the artist said.

Weiwei Screen 4

You can keep up with Ai Weiwei’s refugee project here.


Ad

Latest on Huck

A punk rock band performing on stage, with a female lead singer belting into a microphone. Behind them, a colourful mural with graffiti-style text.
Music

Meet the hair-raised radical women of Berlin’s noise punk scene

Powertool — In his new zine, George Nebieridze captures moments of loud rage and quiet intimacy within the German capital’s female-only bands, while exploring the intersections between music, community and anti-establishment politics.

Written by: Miss Rosen

Group of people dancing at a live music performance, with a large "Spaces Beats" sign in the background.
Music

Amid tensions in Eastern Europe, young Latvians are reviving their country’s folk rhythms

Spaces Between the Beats — The Baltic nation’s ancient melodies have long been a symbol of resistance, but as Russia’s war with Ukraine rages on, new generations of singers and dancers are taking them to the mainstream.

Written by: Jack Styler

A person's face surrounded by colourful flowers. The flowers include orange, red, and yellow dahlias, as well as smaller yellow blooms. The person's expression is serious.
Music

Uwade: “I was determined to transcend popular opinion”

What Made Me — In this series, we ask artists and rebels about the about the forces and experiences that shaped who they are. Today, it’s Nigerian-born, South Carolina-raised indie-soul singer Uwade.

Written by: Uwade

Taxidermy alligator with a small monkey sitting on its head, displayed on a wooden shelf with other items.
Culture

Inside the obscured, closeted habitats of Britain’s exotic pets

“I have a few animals...” — For his new series, photographer Jonty Clark went behind closed doors to meet rare animal owners, finding ethical grey areas and close bonds.

Written by: Hannah Bentley

Muscular man with arms crossed in a dark setting, 'Hard Feelings' text overlay.
Sport

Frazer Clarke: “I had a hole in my leg, I’m very lucky to be alive”

Hard Feelings — For our interview column on masculinity and fatherhood, the Olympic boxing medallist speaks to Robert Kazandjian about hard graft, the fear and triumph of his first fight, and returning to the ring after being stabbed on a night out.

Written by: Robert Kazandjian

Close-up view of a woman in a vintage pose, with flowing hair and an outstretched hand, set against a hazy, scenic background.
© Peter Palladino, courtesy of the Peter Palladino Archive.
Culture

Remembering Holly Woodlawn, Andy Warhol muse and trans trailblazer

Love You Madly — A new book explores the actress’s rollercoaster life and story, who helped inspire Lou Reed’s ‘Walk on the Wild Side’.

Written by: Miss Rosen

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter to informed with the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture, featuring personal takes on the state of media and pop culture from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck, exclusive interviews, recommendations and more.

Please wait...

Accessibility Settings

Text

Applies the Open Dyslexic font, designed to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia.

Applies a more readable font throughout the website, improving readability.

Underlines links throughout the website, making them easier to distinguish.

Adjusts the font size for improved readability.

Visuals

Reduces animations and disables autoplaying videos across the website, reducing distractions and improving focus.

Reduces the colour saturation throughout the website to create a more soothing visual experience.

Increases the contrast of elements on the website, making text and interface elements easier to distinguish.