Political play
Everything is not awesome between Ai Weiwei and LEGO
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.
It’s easy to see the rejection of Weiwei’s request as politically motivated, particularly when you connect China’s not-so-friendly relationship with the artist. Highly critical opinions and other forms of protest by Weiwei against the Chinese government has drawn authorities’ attention for some time. So much that last month the artist found “listening devices or ‘bugs'” at his home in Beijing.
Ai Weiwei Studio commented on LEGO’s response: “As a commercial entity, LEGO produces and sells toys, movies and amusement parks attracting children across the globe,” said an Instagram post published several days ago. “As a powerful corporation, LEGO is an influential, cultural and political actor in the globalised economy with questionable values. LEGO’s refusal to sell its product to the artist is an act of censorship and discrimination.”
In true Weiwei form, the artist is taking matters into his own hands, setting up “international collection points in different cities” to retrieve unwanted LEGO from the public. Participants will be able to throw the toys into a BMW 5S Series through its side-windows and sunroof.
“Ai Weiwei would like to rent, borrow or buy second-hand a BMW 5S Series sedan, of which the color can vary, as a LEGO container,” announced the artist on Instagram on the 26th October. “The vehicle must have clear windows and a sunroof that can be fixed open with a 5cm opening so that people can insert LEGOs. It should be free of any advertising or other decoration […] The car should be parked and locked in a central location of the city that can be easily accessed by the public. The vehicle should remain in the parking space for one month or a longer period of time, preferably in a location related to arts or culture, indoor or outdoor.”
If one thing’s certain it’s that Ai Weiwei will continue what he does best: zero fucks given, by giving a fuck about what matters.
For updates on Weiwei’s international LEGO collection points stay tuned to the artist’s Instagram @aiww