What is the purpose of art at a time of crisis?

A staff member poses for photographs as the new commission by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei entitled "History of Bombs" which covers the floor and a staircase is showcased in the Atrium at the Imperial War Museum in London, Wednesday, July 29, 2020. The museum

A staff member poses for photographs as the new commission by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei entitled "History of Bombs" Source: AAP Image/AP Photo/Matt Dunham

The latest project by the Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei offers a starting point to reflect on the role of art today.

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Published 5 August 2020 3:56pm

Updated 5 August 2020 4:17pm

By Andrea Candiani

Source: SBS

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The latest project by the Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei offers a starting point to reflect on the role of art today.

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei arrives at the Imperial War Museum in London with an exhibition entitled History of Bombs: a gallery of 3D reproductions of almost fifty life-size weapons of destruction.

The exhibition represents an opportunity to investigate the relationship between individuals and politics, fear and social security, or to 'reveal, report and enlighten' the people who observe it, as great art must do.

But according to the director of blackratprojects Andrea Candiani, at times of crisis the public prefers an Art that has above all the purpose of entertaining and not making people think.