Top image: Courtesy of Ai Weiwei

LEGO has rejected a bulk-order request from controversial Chinese artist Ai Weiwei to use their products in a planned exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia.

“We regret to inform you that it is against our corporate policy to indicate our approval of any unaffiliated actiivies outside the LEGO licensing program,” the LEGO Group replied, appearing on Ai Weiwei’s Instagram post. “The motive(s) [to use LEGO products] cannot contain any political, religious, racist, obscene or defaming statements,” or, as quoted from another post: “[LEGO] cannot approve the use of LEGOs for political works.”

That seems hypocritical: last week, Reuters reported that Merlin – the world’s second-biggest visitor attractions group – struck a deal with Chinese investment firm, China Media Capital (CMC), for a new Legoland to be built in Shanghai. Brokered between George Osbourne and Xi Jinping, President of China, this is one of many deals falling within the larger ‘Golden Era’ narrative between the UK and China.

"Everything is awesome "

A photo posted by Ai Weiwei (@aiww) on Oct 24, 2015 at 3:22pm PDT

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