Status: 01/18/2022 11:22 a.m
Ahead of the Beijing Olympics, artist Ai Weiwei expressed concern that China would further restrict human rights during the sporting event. He had already criticized the 2008 games as a “joint show” by the IOC and the regime.
Two weeks before the start of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, Chinese conceptual artist Ai Weiwei fears stricter restrictions on human rights in his home country. Since the 2008 Summer Games, “the Chinese government has further tightened its controls and the human rights situation has continued to deteriorate,” the 64-year-old told the AP news agency.
China has seen the West’s hypocrisy and inaction on human rights issues, so they have become even more bold, ruthless and ruthless. In 2022, China will impose stricter restrictions on the internet and political life, including human rights, the press and electronic media.
Stadium called a “fake smile”.
Together with a Swiss architect’s office, Ai Weiwei was involved in the design of the “Bird’s Nest”, the centerpiece of the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. The stadium will also be the site of the opening ceremony for the Winter Games on February 4th.
During the design phase, the artist, who lives in exile in Portugal, had hoped that the stadium’s grid shape and the presence of the Olympic Games would symbolize China’s new openness. This hope was disappointed.
The brightly lit stadium in Beijing – called “Bird’s Nest”.
Image: AFP
He has repeatedly described the stadium as a “fake smile” that China presented to the world.
The way it was used afterwards went in the opposite direction of our ideals. We had hoped that our architecture could be a symbol of freedom and openness and represent optimism and a positive force, which is very different from being used as a promotional tool in the end.
“Joint Show” by IOC and regime
The critic of the Chinese Communist Party described the 2008 Olympic Games as the “low point” of this development. Ai Weiwei further emphasized, “There was no joy for the general public to attend. Instead, there was close cooperation between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Chinese regime, who put on a show together to attract economic and political capital .”