Despite being forbidden to leave his native China, artist Ai Weiwei today sent a message to London to mark the opening of the stunning Serpentine Gallery pavilion he helped to design.
The temporary building in Kensington Gardens features an enormous disc-like mirror pond on top of an underground cork den.
The dissident artist, who spent 81 days in detention last year, has been under “city arrest” in Beijing.
He said he was “very thankful” for the chance to design the structure which the gallery uses for events, talks and its fund-raising party.
In a recorded statement, he said: “As an artist, I’m always very interested in putting art, design, architecture and social change together ... to give new possibilities.”
The building, which opens to the public tomorrow, was designed with the Tate Modern architects, Herzog & de Meuron, with whom he previously collaborated on the Bird’s Nest stadium for the Beijing Olympics.
The artist has been working with his partners via Skype from his home in Beijing. He is accused of tax avoidance but many suspect his treatment is in retaliation for his outspoken criticism of the Chinese government.
Steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal and his wife, Usha, have bought the pavilion and will take ownership after it closes to the public on October 14.
It is hoped that Ai Weiwei will be allowed to leave China and see the work before it closes.
