Press Coverage

The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is in the news! Read the latest coverage about the Parks Conservancy and our work below. Check out our Press Room for press releases and more about the Parks Conservancy, or contact us directly at media@parksconservancy.org.

Time

The Chinese artist's seven installations on America's most notorious island champion human rights and recall America's dark past

FOX News

A highly anticipated exhibition at America’s most famous prison by one of China’s most prolific contemporary artists will open to the public Saturday, September 27.

SFist

Chinese dissident artist and architect Ai Weiwei's major installation @Large opens this weekend inside the former prison building of Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay.

The Guardian (UK)

The big man of Beijing's new show fills the former prison with a giant rainbow dragon and Lego models of 175 prisoners of conscience, from Nelson Mandela to Edward Snowden. The artist's bravery and commitment are extraordinary

ABC 7 News

Alcatraz is undergoing a big change. The former prison which was home to Machine Gun Kelly and Al Capone is now hosting what many say is the most anticipated contemporary art show of the year.

New York Daily News

The exhibit is called ‘(at) large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz’ and opens Saturday at the former maximum-security prison. Admittance is free. The artist directed the installation of the exhibit while under house arrest in China for what supporters say are trumped-up tax charges.

Reuters

Starting Sept. 27, the former island penitentiary turned U.S. national park in San Francisco Bay will offer visitors the opportunity to view seven installations custom-designed by the artist and activist Ai Weiwei.

San Jose Mercury News

There's nothing subtle about the work of Ai Weiwei, the internationally known Chinese political dissident and artist who designed the striking exhibition titled "@Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz," opening Saturday and running through April 26. His comment on freedom of expression and human rights -- through images of political prisoners captured here in one of the world's most infamous lockups -- echo loudly, like the clank of cellblock doors.

San Jose Mercury News

On September 27th visitors to Alcatraz Island will get an extra element to explore, an art exhibit by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, @Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz. The exhibit explores human rights and freedom of expression in seven site-specific installations in four locations, some areas not usually open to the public, throughout the island.

San Francisco Bay Guardian

A recording is from Illumination, one of the sound installations, which makes use of the prison hospital – an Alcatraz site not normally open to daytime visitors.

KQED Arts

The title of international art star Ai Weiwei’s installation on Alcatraz, @Large, is a contradiction, since the artist himself is anything but. The unusual exhibition on the site of the famous penitentiary opens this weekend and explores themes of freedom and imprisonment.

New York Observer

Ai Weiwei’s highly anticipated project on Alcatraz Island is finally here. “@Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz” features seven site-specific installations inspired by both the artist’s personal experiences following his detainment by the Chinese government and the history of the 19th century Bay Area prison.