Ai Weiwei is set to create “new works that will be showcased in various locations throughout the city, reflecting the biennial’s thematic concept,” according to the organization in a statement to Lusa.
The upcoming Contextile event, themed “By a Thread,” aims to “spark a reflection on current times—marked by environmental, social, and economic crises—calling upon art as a tool of resistance, care, and the crafting of new futures.”
The biennial will feature exhibitions, artist residencies, workshops, performances, meetings, and discussions, seeking to engage “not only artists and culture professionals but also the general public, local communities, and visitors.”
Currently residing in Montemor-o-Novo, Ai Weiwei, born in 1957 in Beijing, has worked for decades primarily in documentary and visual arts, maintaining a critical stance on China regarding human rights issues, as well as in other regions where there are refugees or individuals persecuted for political reasons.
In 2011, the artist, who was part of the team that designed the Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing, was detained for 81 days in China without charges, only allegations of economic crimes. Following his release, it took four years before he was allowed to leave the country.
“The reason I make the effort is because I believe we should respect life. All lives. All lives were created equal by some unknown forces. All have potential, dreams, and all these dreams can be undone due to some madness or wild situation. Respecting life is the goal. And never forgetting. It means we come from a long path of generations of people who made an effort to reach us today. And we must also make the effort for the next generation. Demand certain values, establish certain values, say ‘you can’t touch this, it’s the most precious,'” said the artist in an interview with Lusa in 2021 when he exhibited in Serralves, Porto.
Since then, he has exhibited in Lisbon and received an honorary doctorate from the University of Évora.
