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11/02/2024 02:15:08 pm

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Chinese Artist Pulls Art From Exhibition in Denmark to Protest New Immigrant Law

Ai Weiwei

(Photo : Photo by Alex B. Huckle/Getty Images) Ai Weiwei has pulled his artworks from display in Denmark to protest a new law that allows authorities in the country to seize expensive valuables from Middle Eastern migrants to cover the cost of taking care of them.

World-renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has announced that he has withdrawn his artworks from display at two Denmark museums to show his objection to the country's new law that allow the government to strip immigrants of their belongings. 

Ai pulled out his exhibition "A New Dynasty-Created in China", which was on display at the ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum. It was supposed to be on display until April this year. Erlend Hoeyersten, ARoS' museum director, said that although he respects Ai, he "finds it unreasonable that an entire people is punished for the government's policies." 

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The new Danish law dictates that police can seize any valuables from asylum-seekers that are worth more than 10,000 kroner ($1,500). The government said that the confiscated goods will fund the refugees' stay in the country and will avail them social benefits. 

"They come with nothing, barefoot, in such cold, they have to walk across the rocky beach. Then you have this news; it made me feel very angry," Ai told The Guardian. 

"The way I can protest is that I can withdraw my works from that country. It is very simple, very symbolic - I cannot co-exist, I cannot stand in front of these people and see these policies. It is a personal act, very simple," he added. 

Jens Faurschou, owner of the Faurschou Foundation in Copenhagen, where Ai also pulled out his artworks, said that he did not expect Ai's decision but that he is not surprised.

"I didn't try to dissuade him. This is not so much about which country does more or less for refugees, it is the symbolic importance of the new law. This [kind of thing] is spreading over Europe, and we in Denmark are taking the lead in this by making this law," Faurschou said.

But Ai said that he is not only pointing fingers to Denmark, but other government who do not fulfil their moral obligations during this humanitarian crisis. 

"Other countries have disgusting policies too. It has not ended, it still continues. No nation can separate themselves," he said. 

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