Ai Weiwei’s ‘Good Fences Craft Good Neighbors’ – A Reflection on Migration and Division

In 2017, Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei presented “Good Fences Make Good Neighbors,” a multi-site, multi-media exhibition throughout New York City. The project, curated by the Public Art Fund, served as a powerful response to the global migration crisis and a broader exploration of the human impulse to create divisions. Ai Weiwei’s work frequently engages with themes of political activism and human rights, often facing repression from Chinese authorities for his provocative art [Britannica].

The Exhibition’s Core Themes

“Good Fences Make Good Neighbors” draws its title from a line in Robert Frost’s poem “Mending Wall,” which questions the necessity of boundaries. Ai Weiwei adopted the phrase ironically, recognizing how such sentiments can fuel fear and prejudice [Google Arts & Culture]. The exhibition wasn’t about erecting impenetrable barriers, but rather about creating immersive and thought-provoking additions to the urban landscape.

Ai Weiwei’s personal experiences deeply informed the exhibition. He experienced exile with his family as a child, lived as an immigrant and art student in New York, and faced repression as an artist and activist in China [Public Art Fund]. These experiences, coupled with his team’s extensive research – including travel to 23 countries and over 40 refugee camps although filming his documentary Human Flow in 2016 – shaped the exhibition’s focus on displacement and division.

The Public Art Fund’s Role

The Public Art Fund orchestrated the exhibition, presenting Ai Weiwei’s work across various public spaces in New York City, including monuments, buildings, transportation sites, and advertising platforms [Public Art Fund]. The exhibition ran from October 12, 2017, to February 11, 2018, and was curated by Public Art Fund Director & Chief Curator Nicholas Baume, with assistance from Associate Curator Daniel S. Palmer [Google Arts & Culture].

Ai Weiwei’s Broader Artistic Practice

Ai Weiwei is a multifaceted artist whose work spans sculpture, installation, architecture, photography, and video [Britannica]. He is known for challenging norms and prompting reflection on critical social and political issues. His art often serves as a platform for advocating for human rights and raising awareness about global challenges.