Presented by the FOR-SITE Foundation, in partnership with the National Park Service and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei brought his works to Alcatraz Island until spring of 2015. Ai is internationally celebrated for his extraordinary ability to communicate complex political and creative concepts in his sculptures and installations. His works raise urgent questions about human rights and the freedom of expression. His art and ideas find a compelling new context in this exhibition of works created specifically for Alcatraz--a 19th-century military fortress, a notorious federal penitentiary, a site of Native American heritage and protest, and now one of America's most visited national parks. 

Revealing unexpected perspectives on Alcatraz and its layered legacy, @Large prompts visitors to consider the implications of incarceration and the possibilities of art as an act of conscience. For Ai, these are not just artist themes; they are fact of life. A vocal critic of the Chinese government, Ai was secretly detained by Chinese authorities for 81 days in 2011 on charges of tax evasion, and is still not permitted to leave China. @Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz launches a dialogue that incorporates these themes of communication, individual responsibility, and freedom around the world.

@Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz is presented by the FOR-SITE Foundation in partnership with the National Park Service and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.

To learn more about @Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz, visit our Press Coverage page.

To learn more about Ai Weiwei, please visit his website: aiweiwei.com