Ai Weiwei, detail, “Ritual,” one of six dioramas in fiberglass and iron, from the work “S.A.C.R.E.D.,” 2011-13 (courtesy of Ai Weiwei Studio. © Ai Weiwei)
Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern Parkway at Washington St.
Saturday, May 3, free, 5:00 – 11:00 (some events require free tickets distributed in advance at the Visitor Center; $10 reduced fee to see Ai Weiwei show)
212-864-5400
www.brooklynmuseum.org
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has gained international fame not only for his innovative and controversial art projects but because of his ongoing battle with the authorities, which has led at one point to his famous disappearance and later house arrest. But his fight for freedom of expression continues, as evidenced by the multimedia exhibition “Ai Weiwei: According to What?,” which will be the focus of the Brooklyn Museum’s First Saturdays program on May 3. The evening will investigate the intersection of art and activism with live performances by Magnetic North, Taiyo Na, JD Samson, GHOSTLIGHT Chorus, and the great Jean Grae; a sneak preview of Andreas Johnsen’s new documentary Ai Weiwei The Fake Case; a discussion with Friends of Ai Weiwei, a group that raises awareness for freedom of expression and human rights around the world; pop-up gallery talks about art and activism; a workshop in which participants can make protest flowers in solidarity with Ai’s flower protest; an interactive dialogue about Asian American activism; and a curator talk with Sharon Matt Atkins about the Ai Weiwei exhibition. Although all of the events are free (some do require tickets that can be picked up at the Visitor Center), admission to “Ai Weiwei: According to What?” is $10, reduced from its regular $15 fee. In addition, the galleries will be open late, giving visitors plenty of opportunity to check out, without charge, “Witness: Art and Civil Rights in the Sixties,” “Swoon: Submerged Motherlands,” “Chicago in L.A.: Judy Chicago’s Early Work, 1963–74,” “Revolution! Works from the Black Arts Movement,” “Divine Felines: Cats of Ancient Egypt,” “Life, Death, and Transformation in the Americas,” “Connecting Cultures: A World in Brooklyn,” and other exhibits.