Freed Chinese Artist Accepts German University Post
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, best known to western audience for designing the iconic stadium used in the Beijing Olympic games, has accepted a position in the University of the Arts in Berlin. Weiwei has faced serious problems with Chinese government and police, and was recently released from nearly three months in police detention over charges of tax evasion.
Ai Weiwei is well-known in his home country for his controversial art which often questions the establishment and Chinese authority. The government doesn’t sit idly by however, and even tore down Weiwei’s newly built Shanghai studio in apparent retaliation for his involvement in controversial social campaigns.
But while Ai Weiwei has accepted the post, it is unclear whether the artist will be permitted to leave China to take up his new job in Berlin.