A story in today’s Guardian highlights how the artist and activist Ai Weiwei – who has been detained and missing by the Chinese Government since April 3rd – has sparked an anonymous online call for protests, a Jasmine Revolution, inspired by the Middle Eastern Uprisings.
Ed Winkelman summed it up poignantly in his blog earlier this week:
‘Perhaps other countries have no power to interfere, but as China is asking to be taken seriously as an equal contributor to the dialog of contemporary art, the rest of the world has every right to demand some answers. It’s entirely ludicrous that China would arrest Ai Weiwei on apparently trumped up charges and yet expect a place at the table as respected members of the international arts community. China needs to release Mr. Ai now.’
Ludicrous indeed.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Weiwei, and we Love the Tate Modern for this.
