New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg Calls for Release of Ai Weiwei
Created: 2011-05-05 12:03 EST
Category: China
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While the prominent artist Ai Weiwei is currently detained in China, in New York City his artwork is drawing attention to his plight.
On Tuesday at the Pulitzer Fountain in Manhattan, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said it was a bittersweet honor celebrating the opening of Ai’s sculpture exhibition—given that the artist is detained by authorities in China and his whereabouts are unknown.
[Michael Bloomberg, New York Mayor]:
“Today we stand in solidarity with the millions of people around the world who hope that Ai Weiwei is quickly and safely released. And we stand in solidarity with the billions of people who do not have the most fundamental of human rights, the most cherished of all American values, and the most valuable of all New York’s riches, and that is free expression.”
Ai lived in New York for more than a decade, and studied at Parsons School of Design.
He was detained in China on April 3rd, and accused of committing “economic crimes.” He’s known internationally, not only for his artwork, but also for speaking out against the Chinese regime. Rights groups suggest Chinese authorities have tortured Ai Weiwei to extort a confession from him.
[Michael Bloomberg, New York Mayor]:
“I think that the Chinese government would be well served by letting people in China have the same kind of freedom of expression that we have here.”
Ai’s sculptures, titled, Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads, are 12 bronze animal heads representing the Chinese zodiac. Ai wanted to recreate sculptures designed by Europeans in 18th Century China, serving under the Qing dynasty Emperor Qianlong. The original sculptures had adorned the fountain in Yuanming Yuan (Garden of Perfect Splendor) in Beijing before they were pillaged by invaders.
[Larry Warsh, AW Asia Founder]:
“As we know, Ai Weiwei cannot be here to take part in this special event. He remains detained without clear word of his fate. We are all very concerned about him and his family.”
The sculptures will be on display at the Pulitzer Fountain in Manhattan until July 15th.
NTD News, New York
On Tuesday at the Pulitzer Fountain in Manhattan, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said it was a bittersweet honor celebrating the opening of Ai’s sculpture exhibition—given that the artist is detained by authorities in China and his whereabouts are unknown.
[Michael Bloomberg, New York Mayor]:
“Today we stand in solidarity with the millions of people around the world who hope that Ai Weiwei is quickly and safely released. And we stand in solidarity with the billions of people who do not have the most fundamental of human rights, the most cherished of all American values, and the most valuable of all New York’s riches, and that is free expression.”
Ai lived in New York for more than a decade, and studied at Parsons School of Design.
He was detained in China on April 3rd, and accused of committing “economic crimes.” He’s known internationally, not only for his artwork, but also for speaking out against the Chinese regime. Rights groups suggest Chinese authorities have tortured Ai Weiwei to extort a confession from him.
[Michael Bloomberg, New York Mayor]:
“I think that the Chinese government would be well served by letting people in China have the same kind of freedom of expression that we have here.”
Ai’s sculptures, titled, Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads, are 12 bronze animal heads representing the Chinese zodiac. Ai wanted to recreate sculptures designed by Europeans in 18th Century China, serving under the Qing dynasty Emperor Qianlong. The original sculptures had adorned the fountain in Yuanming Yuan (Garden of Perfect Splendor) in Beijing before they were pillaged by invaders.
[Larry Warsh, AW Asia Founder]:
“As we know, Ai Weiwei cannot be here to take part in this special event. He remains detained without clear word of his fate. We are all very concerned about him and his family.”
The sculptures will be on display at the Pulitzer Fountain in Manhattan until July 15th.
NTD News, New York
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