Poised to display his biggest show ever, Ai Weiwei holds forth (… and more from the world of art)

A SUMMARY OF THE MOST EXCITING ART NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

While we focus on Indian art, we can’t obviously function in a vacuum. It’s a small world and everything is connected, especially on the web. So, let’s train our spotlight across the world map to see what’s going on — from art trends to socio-political issues to everything that affects the great aesthetic global consciousness. Or, let’s just travel the world and have some fun!

 

The art of Ai Weiwei

Asked how he finds his new home, 64-year-old refugee from China and renowned artist Ai Weiwei says he has \”been in Portugal for a simple reason: plenty of sunshine\”. His Gilded Cage (2017), which has just been installed at Blenheim Palace grounds in England on long-term view, is touted as the biggest show of his career so far. It takes an extraordinary look at the international migrant crisis, and themes of identity, displacement and inequality. Interestingly, this is not the first time Ai is displaying art at the 300-year-old Blenheim — he first did so in 2014, in a path-breaking show organised remotely while he was still barred from leaving China by the authorities. Experiencing the art of Ai is “stinging and searing”, but also “cathartic” writes Wallpaper, while penning down a fascinating interview with the artist amid an ongoing profile series, where they spoke to Ai via Zoom about his extraordinary life and work.

 

Part of \’Banksy\’ artwork removed over flood fears

A piece of street art possibly created by secretive graffiti artist Banksy has been removed over flooding fears. The artwork in Nicholas Everitt Park near Lowestoft, Suffolk, depicted three children, who appeared to be stood in a small boat placed under the painting. Oulton Broad Parish Council said the metal \”boat\” was removed because it was blocking a drain and rain was forecast. Banksy-style art has also appeared in Gorleston and Great Yarmouth in Norfolk but have not been authenticated. BBC reports the updates.

 

‘Art of the insane’, surrealists, and Nazis

Hans Prinzhorn was a qualified physician, a doctor of art history, a decorated soldier and a professionally trained baritone. But it was his work on the art of the insane, conducted at Heidelberg university psychiatric clinic between 1919 and 1921, that would stand as his greatest achievement. He amassed the world’s most significant collection of psychiatric art, and published his conclusions about the project in a groundbreaking volume, Artistry of the Mentally Ill. When Max Ernst took a copy of the book to Paris, it rapidly became an essential source for members of the new surrealist movement, including Salvador Dalí and André Breton. And then came Adolf Hitler, the Nazis, and their views on ‘degenerate art’. The Guardian publishes a fascinating history.