Ai Weiwei Brings His Massive 230-Foot-Long Lifeboat Installation to Prague
The famed artist continues to shed light on the European refugee crisis.
Artist and activist Ai Wei Wei is bringing a colossal 230 feet long lifeboat installation to Prague’s National Gallery. The centerpiece is part of his “Law of the Journey” exhibit which comments on the European Union’s current refugee crisis. Ai Weiwei is no stranger to the ongoing mass migration of Middle Eastern and African people to Europe since 2015. He’s been well-documented helping out refugees and fighting for their rights. A refugee himself, Mr. Weiwei continues to balance his role as activist and artist to shed light on these important issues, including the Czech Republic’s recent reluctance of accepting refugees from Italy and Greece.
Now the rebellious creative is bringing an important work to Prague — it’s a 230-foot-long inflatable lifeboat carrying gigantic faceless figures that represent refugees in their perilous plight. The installation is a reference to the uncertain journey migrants experience to get from Turkey to Greece.
“In this time of uncertainty, we need more tolerance, compassion, and trust for each other since we all are one. Otherwise, humanity will face an even bigger crisis,” Mr. Weiwei state. “There’s no refugee crisis, but only human crisis… In dealing with refugees we’ve lost our very basic values.”
Check out what you can expect below. “Ai Weiwei: Law of the Journey” will be at the National Gallery of Prague from March 17, 2017–July 1, 2018.
National Gallery of Prague
Staroměstské náměstí 12
Prague, Czech Republic
