They still want the "fake smile"

Controversial Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, who may be best known for co-designing Beijing's "Bird's Nest" stadium for the Olympics, has revealed that local Shanghai authorities have ordered the demolition of his new £750,000 studio:

"It's all very strange," Ai told The Daily Telegraph. "This guy [the mayor] flew to Beijing twice to personally invite me to build the studio and have one or two artists based there so they could build up the new art district. Now they say they want to knock it down. The local officials say the word has come from above and they're 'sorry, but they can't do anything about it – you have to destroy it', and no further explanation." An official notice said the demolition had been ordered for failing to apply in advance to the local district office for a "project planning license".

Ai's new Shanghai studio. [Image]

I was under the impression that arts districting is something that most Chinese cities were interested in pursuing - especially a bustling city such as Shanghai. This may be simply an unfortunate result of Ai's activism in local governmental corruption and scandal.

One of Ai's most interesting statements is his renouncement of his architectural spectacle, Beijing National Stadium, which he stated is a "fake smile."

[Image]