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Ai Weiwei Wraps Florence’s Palazzo Strozzi in Rubber Rafts for Powerful Installation About the Refugee Crisis

Celebrated and controversial artist Ai Weiwei recently opened his first major exhibition in Italy, titled Libero (Free), at Florence's Palazzo Strozzi. Prior to the opening, the artist installed twenty-two red lifeboats along the facade of the historic building, titling the work Reframe. In line with a series of recent work about the international refugee crisis, the rafts are similar to boats used by tens of thousands of refugees pouring into Italy each year. It's a stark political reminder in a city known as the cradle of Renaissance art, one that is typical of the Chinese artist's work.

“I'm very keen to look at the ways in which humans have lost their lives because of different situations,” the artist shares. “I think to have a show in one of the most important art museums I needed to make a statement. I think that art, especially contemporary art, is about raising the consciousness of people. So I am very happy that in Italy the work has lead to discussion in relation to current issues, which is most important. I really do care about the situation also.”

The installation has created a strong buzz in Italy, evidenced by the flood of both negative and positive comments on Palazzo Strozzi‘s Facebook page. While some felt it disrespectful to place a political installation on an historical building—construction of the Renaissance palace began in 1489—others thought it provoked a much needed discussion about the refugee crisis in Europe.

Ai Weiwei's Libero is currently showing through January 22, 2017 at the Palazzo Strozzi in Florence.

Above image via Alessandro Moggi

Image via Bernardo Ricci Armani

Image via Bernardo Ricci Armani

Here's the installation in progress:

Ai Weiwei: Website | Facebook | Instagram
via [Street Art News, designboom]

All images via Palazzo Strozzi except where noted.

Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book 'Street Art Stories Roma' and most recently contributed to 'Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini'. You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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