Arch by Ai Weiwei and Brilliant Minds Revealed in Stockholm as Newest Public Artwork

Globally renowned artist and activist, Ai Weiwei, together with Brilliant Minds, has unveiled Arch, one of his most significant artworks, in Stockholm, Sweden. The installation, standing outside the city’s National Museum, marks a major milestone in Sweden’s growing significance in global art and culture and is the first in a new series of public cultural exhibits that Brilliant Minds has committed to supporting in Stockholm over the next five years. Celebrating innovation and creativity, and inspiring connection and conversation within local communities, the initiative aims to showcase Swedish values globally and support European founders with transformative ideas to make the world more sustainable, creative, and inclusive.

The unveiling of Arch coincides with Brilliant Minds’ annual gathering in Stockholm, a unique coming together of inspirational voices to champion the next generation of cutting-edge founders. The event provides a supportive and collaborative platform for rising talent and serves as the leading forum for discovering Europe’s best start-ups. Speakers at this year’s event include Malala, Esther Perel, Alicia Keys, Gabriela Hearst, Edward Norton, and Alexis Ohanian.

Throughout his artistic career, Ai Weiwei has used his voice and creativity to highlight political and humanitarian crises, continuously provoking and challenging assumptions about the role of art in society, and how creative voices can and should be mobilized in the collective effort to make a difference on the world stage. In a time of political divisiveness, an unprecedented refugee crisis, and global waves of isolationist sentiment, Arch offers a powerful and thought-provoking message that reflects the uncertainty of the times we live in and the need for brilliant minds around the world to meet the challenge of change.

Standing at 40 feet tall, the polished stainless steel structure, reminiscent of a birdcage, symbolizes an ode to freedom, using the silhouette of intertwined human figures to represent the free passage of all populations, and appeal for a world without borders. As a refugee himself, Ai Weiwei understands the importance of freedom and the significance of public art as a catalyst for conversation. Arch continues to celebrate the power of public art, urging us all to think about the contradictions of the times we live in and the responsibility each and every one of us has to work towards a better world.

Anastasia Seebohm, CEO of Brilliant Minds, explains, “Now more than ever, as the world is spinning at its fastest and most challenging, we must broaden our minds, share our experiences, and work together to create a brighter future. The aim of Brilliant Minds is to spark impassioned conversations, encourage questions, and seek answers, and the unveiling of Arch, and our new program of public cultural exhibits, will ensure we continue the important conversation for change.”

The placement of Arch in Stockholm, the leading country in the European Innovation Scoreboard, highlights the city’s growing significance in global art and culture and marks the start of a new initiative to support public cultural exhibits over the next five years. As Brilliant Minds continues to inspire connection and conversation within local communities, the hope is that Arch will serve as a powerful reminder of the responsibility we all have to make the world a better place, and the importance of creative voices in meeting the challenge of change.

 

 

Press release and photos courtesy of Brilliant Minds

Cover photo ©Jean Lapin