China News  
SINO DAILY
British artists in campaign to free artist Ai Weiwei

by Staff Writers
London (AFP) May 18, 2011
Leading British artists launched a campaign Wednesday calling for the release of prominent Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, who was detained last month amid a major crackdown on dissent.

Damien Hirst and Indian-born Anish Kapoor were among those who joined a campaign launched by The Times newspaper demanding the release of Ai, penning messages of support which were printed on a double-page spread in the paper.

"Today The Times calls for the immediate release of the Chinese artist and dissident Ai Weiwei," said the paper.

"So far international calls for his release have been ignored by the Chinese authorities."

A large photo of Ai signed by the artists was delivered by Kapoor and British artist Cornelia Parker to 10 Downing Street, the residence of Prime Minister David Cameron, to mark the start of the campaign.

Kapoor, who dedicated his latest work "Leviathan" to Ai, wrote in The Times: "When governments silence artists it bears witness to their barbarity."

Hirst, famous for off-the-wall artworks such as dead animals preserved in formaldehyde, blasted Ai's detention as "another flagrant abuse of the basic human right of freedom of expression by the Chinese authorities".

"It cannot, and should not, in good conscience, be tolerated by the international community," he wrote.

The campaign is also backed by leading British art galleries including Somerset House and the Lisson Gallery, which last week opened new shows by Ai.

Ai, one of China's most prominent artists, was taken into custody on April 3 amid the Chinese authorities' toughest clampdown on dissidents and activists in years.

He is a vocal critic of China's government and his detention has been met with international condemnation, with the United States and European Union leading calls for his release.

Ai was allowed to see his wife at the weekend for the first time since being detained and appeared in good health, according to his sister.

So far, the Chinese government has said only that Ai is under investigation for economic crimes, but police have failed to issue a formal arrest warrant.



Share This Article With Planet Earth
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit
YahooMyWebYahooMyWeb GoogleGoogle FacebookFacebook



Related Links
China News from SinoDaily.com



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


SINO DAILY
Pope urges Chinese bishops to refuse to split from Rome
Vatican City (AFP) May 18, 2011
Pope Benedict XVI called on Catholics across the world on Wednesday to pray that Chinese bishops refuse to separate from Rome, in spite of "pressure" from communist authorities. The pontiff appealed for prayers for the 5.7 million-odd Chinese Catholics caught between staying loyal to the ruling Communist Party in Beijing and an "underground" Church loyal to Rome but not recognised by the aut ... read more







SINO DAILY
Taiwan VP: China trade welcome in Central America

US casino mogul says Wynn now 'Chinese company'

Seaports need a plan for weathering climate change

Japan delays decision on Pacific trade pact

SINO DAILY
Exploding melons sow new China food fears

Livestock genes could protect against one of Africa's oldest animal plagues

Drought tolerance in crops: Shutting down the plant's growth inhibition under mild stress

India's top court imposes ban on 'toxic' pesticide

SINO DAILY
Mozambique wages war on man-eating crocs

British PM rejects pressure on aid budget

Humanity can and must do more with less

Outside View: Kenya mobile banking network

SINO DAILY
Japanese electric car 'goes 300km' on single charge

Perfect welds for car bodies

Saab, Spyker announce auto deal in China

Saab, Spyker announce auto deal in China

SINO DAILY
Japan's TEPCO debt waive call draws ire

Experts monitor nuclear plant in quake-prone Armenia

Moody's downgrades Japan's TEPCO

Moody's downgrades Japan's TEPCO

SINO DAILY
Build safety into the very beginning of the computer system

White House to unveil cybersecurity strategy

White House proposes new cybersecurity bill

Enter Unit 8200: Israel arms for cyberwar

SINO DAILY
US, China bid to bolster military ties

US finally makes famed 'Pentagon Papers' public

US, China clash on rights but ease economic rift

US, China clash on rights but ease economic rift

SINO DAILY
Evolutionary lessons for wind farm efficiency

Global warming won't harm wind energy production, climate models predict

Study: Warming won't lessen wind energy

Mortenson Construction to Build its 100th Wind Project


The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2010 - SpaceDaily. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement