In New York, works by the imprisoned Chinese artist are on display

New York - In New York these days, sculptures of imprisoned Chinese artist and critic of the local government Ai Weiwei are displayed in front of the famous Plaza Hotel. They depict the heads of animals forming the Chinese zodiac. Chinese authorities arrested the artist about a month ago, accusing him of economic crimes. There have been no news about Ai Weiwei since then.
    His sculptures are arranged in front of the hotel by the Pulitzer Fountain. It is the first time that any artwork has appeared there. The sculptures have a very massive appearance. Each of them weighs around half a ton.
    New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg attended the unveiling of the sculptures. According to him, the actions of the Chinese artist speak not only of courage but also of the desire for freedom that every human being feels.
    "Artists risk everything to create. They risk failure. They risk negative reactions. They risk public criticism. Artists like Ai Weiwei, who come from places that do not value freedom of speech and do not protect it, risk much more," the politician noted.
    Ai was arrested just a few days after the fifty-three-year-old avant-garde artist announced that he wanted to leave China and settle abroad. He reportedly wanted to open his studio in Germany and live there to escape the harassment and persecution from Chinese authorities. For example, Ai has labeled Chinese leaders as gangsters and in recent years has defended humanitarian causes.
    Ai contributed as a designer to the conception of the futuristic design of Beijing's architectural pride, the national Olympic stadium known as the Bird's Nest. In the past, he spent about ten years in New York and continued to visit the city afterwards.