Ai Weiwei Fuels LEGO Feud via Instagram
“It is a way to reannounce our position.”
Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei made headlines when he accused Danish toy company LEGO of “censorship and discrimination” because they refused to sell him a bulk order of its bricks. Intended for his Andy Warhol/Ai Weiwei exhibition due to be held at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia, LEGO has refused sale based on its stance against using its products for “any political, religious, racist, obscene or defaming statements.”
In response, Ai Weiwei has taken to his Instagram to post images of political activists rendered in LEGO bricks. So far, the artist has shared over 40 images and will continue to do so, posting 10 images each day for 18 days. So far, he’s shared photos of Chinese human rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang and Burmese Nobel Peace Prize-winner Aung San Suu Kyi. According to Ai, “What we’re doing is fighting for very basic human values, such as freedom of speech and human rights.”
Check out all the images on Ai Weiwei’s Instagram here.
