Berlin’s University of Arts Says Recently Freed Artist Ai Weiwei Accepts Job Offer
July 13, 2011 by All Art News
Filed under Artists & People
BERLIN (AP).- A German university says recently released Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has accepted an offer to join the Berlin institution as a visiting lecturer.
Berlin’s University of Arts said Wednesday it was unclear when Ai will be able to start in his new position due to his legal troubles in China.
- A file picture shows Chinese artist Ai Weiwei in front of his artwork, entitled Template, at the Haus der Kunst in Munich, Germany. EPA/TOBIAS HASE.
University president Martin Rennert says he hopes Ai will be able to join “in the near future.”
The university first published the offer — in the works since December — following Ai’s arrest on tax fraud charges in April. He was released June 22, but Chinese authorities say he is still under investigation for at least a year.
The prominent government critic was the highest-profile target of a crackdown on activists in China this year. His detention sparked an international outcry.
