Ai Weiwei. Don Quixote: A Major Exhibition at MUSAC

An expansive exhibition titled Ai Weiwei. Don Quixote is set to open on November 9 at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Castilla y León (MUSAC) in León, Spain. This noteworthy presentation features a diverse range of works, such as large-scale installations, creations constructed from toy bricks, and films. Occupying approximately 1,700 square meters—over half of the museum’s exhibition space—this ranks as one of Ai Weiwei’s most extensive exhibitions so far.

Immersive Experience and Cinematic Journey

The exhibition includes 44 interactive works, with each gallery showcasing wallpaper-style art reaching over six meters high, offering an immersive experience. Attendees can view ten films that encapsulate Ai Weiwei's journey in video and cinematic art, featuring impactful pieces like the documentary Human Flow (2017) and the detailed Beijing 2003 (2003), which documents 150 hours of Beijing street footage.

Unique LEGO Creations

MUSAC will feature the first thorough display of Ai Weiwei's LEGO series, highlighting 19 of the 60 pieces made since 2007. Ai Weiwei leverages LEGO to challenge conventional art forms, believing it enables him to explore political and aesthetic themes free from historical constraints. A key piece is The Third of May (2023), a reinterpretation of Goya’s famed work, reflecting themes of sacrifice and social disruption.

Three Categories of Toy Brick Art

The exhibition displays three unique groups of toy brick creations. The first includes art history masterpieces recreated in full-scale, such as Andy Warhol’s The Last Supper. Ai Weiwei selects these masterpieces thoughtfully to resonate personally and politically.

The second category draws from modern media, including depictions like the U.S. recovering fragments of a Chinese surveillance balloon, thereby spotlighting contemporary geopolitical and humanitarian issues.

The final category involves reimagining his earlier works, like Illumination (2019), echoing his encounters with police surveillance.

Monumental Installations and Humanistic Themes

Among the grand installations is La Commedia Umana (The Human Comedy) (2017–2021), an imposing Murano glass chandelier over eight meters tall, weighing 2,700 kg. This artwork, crafted with artisans, comments on humanism and humanity’s continual struggles, like the refugee crisis and environmental issues.

Curated by Álvaro Rodríguez Fominaya, this exhibition epitomizes Ai Weiwei's artistic exploration, touching on freedom, human rights, and the refugee narrative. Scheduled to run until May 18, 2025, this will be the sole venue for this extraordinary collection, encouraging audiences to engage deeply with Ai Weiwei's thought-provoking artwork.