Ai Weiwei unveils "Arch", a piece appealing to a world without borders

The Chinese artist Ai Weiwei says that his large sculpture Arch (2017) which stands outside the Nationalmuseum, on the Blasieholmen peninsula in Stockholm's archipelago, symbolises refugee stories and appeals for a world without borders taking on extra resonance, in the wake of the war between Russia and Ukraine.

The 12-metre tall piece "Arch", a cage-like structure made from polished steel and through in the centre by the shape of two human silhouettes intertwined, was first shown in New York under the arch of the Washington Square Monument, from October 2017 to February 2018. Now, for a year the structure will be exhibited in front of the National Museum of Stockholm and then be relocated to a permanent home in the city.

"Arch" by Ai Weiwei. Photography by Jean Lapin

Ai Weiwei was inspired by Marcel Duchamp’s design for Gradiva gallery in Paris launched by the Surrealist pioneer André Breton in 1937.

"In a time of political divisiveness, an unprecedented refugee crisis, and global waves of isolationist sentiment, Arch offers a powerful and thought-provoking message that reflects the uncertainty of the times we live in ...Ai Weiwei, ...creates an ode to freedom, using the silhouette of intertwined human figures to represent the free passage of all populations, and appealing for a world without borders."

Brilliant Minds Foundation

"Arch" by Ai Weiwei. Photography by Jean Lapin

The sculpture, Arch, is the first in a series of "cultural exhibits" that Brilliant Minds will support in Stockholm over the next five years. Brilliant Minds, which was established in 2015 by Spotify founder Daniel Ek and entrepreneur Ash Pournori, holds annual events in Stockholm that aim to support creative individuals and help them come together on "world-changing" ideas.

Ai was one of the speakers at this year's event, which took place in Stockholm in June.

"Now more than ever, as the world is spinning at its fastest and most challenging, we must broaden our minds, share our experiences, and work together to create a brighter future."

Brilliant Minds CEO Annastasia Seebohm.

"Arch" by Ai Weiwei. Photography by Jean Lapin.

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Artists

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Ai Weiwei.

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Brilliant Minds.

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Södra Blasieholmshamnen, 2. Stockholm, Sweden.

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For a year.

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Jean Lapin.

Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei is a chinese conceptual artist, also works as an architect, photographer, curator and globally recognised human rights activist. Born in 1957 in Beijing, he began his training at Beijing Film Academy and later continued at the Parsons School of Design in New York City.

His work has been exhibited around the world with solo exhibitions at Stiftung DKM, Duisburg (2010); Mori Art Museum, Tokyo (2009); Haus der Kunst, Munich (2009); Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation, Cambelltown Arts Center, Sydney (2008); and the Groninger Museum, Groningen (2008), and participation in the 48th Venice Biennale in Italy (1999, 2008, 2010); Guangzhou Triennale in China (2002, 2005), Busan Biennial in Korea (2006), Documenta 12 in Germany (2007), and the 29th Sao Paulo Biennial in Brazil (2010). In October 2010, Ai Weiwei's "Sunflower Seeds" was installed in the Tate Modern Turbine Hall, London. Ai Weiwei participated in the Serpentine Gallery's China Power Station exhibition in 2006, and the Serpentine Gallery Map Marathon in 2010.

The last solo exhibitions included Ai Weiwei in the Chapel, on view at Yorkshire Sculpture Park through November 2, 2014; Evidence at the Martin-Gropius-Bau, Berlin, 2014; and Ai Weiwei: According to What?, which was organized by the Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, in 2009, and traveled to North American venues in 2013–14. Ai collaborated with architects Herzog & de Meuron on the “bird’s nest” stadium for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and on the Serpentine Gallery, 2012 London. He has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Václav Havel Prize for Creative Dissent from the Human Rights Foundation in 2012.