ROME, Italy – During the private opening of an exhibition featuring works by renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei in Bologna, a man committed an act of vandalism by smashing a sculpture by the artist. The incident, which took place at Bologna’s Palazzo Fava, was described by the exhibition’s curator as a “reckless and senseless act.”
The sculpture, a large blue and white piece titled “Porcelain Cube,” was part of the exhibition titled “Who am I?” Italian authorities arrested a 57-year-old Czech man, who claimed to be an artist and had a history of targeting important works of art. Despite the vandalism, the exhibition opened to the public as scheduled the following day.
Following the incident, the artist shared CCTV footage of the attack on his Instagram account, revealing the man’s actions before and after smashing the sculpture. Ai Weiwei is known for his controversial artworks that often involve the destruction of pieces as a way of making a statement. One of his most famous works, “Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn (1995),” captures the artist dropping a 2,000-year-old ceremonial urn to the ground.
In response to the vandalism, the exhibition’s curator, Arturo Galansino, expressed shock and disappointment, pointing out that several works in the exhibition explore themes of destruction. Galansino emphasized that Ai Weiwei’s depiction of destruction serves as a warning against violence and injustice, contrasting sharply with the act of vandalism that occurred at the exhibition.
Describing the attacker as a repeat offender who seeks attention through damaging art, monuments, and institutions, Galansino condemned the act as potentially dangerous and devoid of any meaningful message. The shattered fragments of the sculpture were covered, removed, and are set to be replaced with a print and an explanatory label detailing the incident.