LEGO can now be used to make political statements, thanks to Ai Weiwei

LEGO have adjusted their guidelines to accommodate the artist and human rights activist's request.

Artist and human rights activist Ai Weiwei. (Instagram/Ai WeiWei)

The news we've surely all been waiting for; you can now use LEGO to make political statements.

The Danish toy company had previously refused Chinese artist Ai Weiwei the right to bulk order pieces on political grounds. Ai WeiWei is, of course, mostly known for his work as a human rights activist. He's been openly critical of his country's government, including in his investigations into corruption within the construction of schools in regions affected by the 2008 Sichuan earthquake; he was even arrested in 2011 and held for 81 days on officials' allegations of "economic crimes".

His work is, unsurprisingly, intensely political; his bulk order was intended to be used in the creation of an artwork about freedom of speech to be displayed at the National Gallery of Victoria in Australia. Upon the request's denial, on the premise the company "cannot approve the use of LEGOs for political works", the artist's Instagram page claimed; "As a commercial entity, LEGO produces and sells toys, movies and amusement parks attracting children across the globe. As a powerful corporation, LEGO is an influential cultural and political actor in the globalized economy with questionable values. LEGO's refusal to sell its product to the artist is an act of censorship and discrimination."

 

In September Lego refused Ai Weiwei Studio's request for a bulk order of Legos to create artwork to be shown at the National Gallery of Victoria as "they cannot approve the use of Legos for political works." On Oct 21, a British firm formally announced that it will open a new Legoland in Shanghai as one of the many deals of the U.K.-China "Golden Era."

A photo posted by Ai Weiwei (@aiww) on Oct 23, 2015 at 6:04am PDT

 

"We're here to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow" (twitter.com/LEGO_Group) In June 2015 Ai Weiwei Studio began to design artworks which would have required a large quantity of Lego bricks to produce. The works were planned for the exhibition "Andy Warhol / Ai Weiwei" at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia, to open in December 2015. The artworks' concept relates to freedom of speech. The museum's curatorial team contacted Lego to place a bulk order and received Lego's reply via email on 12 September 2015: "We regret to inform you that it is against our corporate policy to indicate our approval of any unaffiliated activities outside the LEGO licensing program. However, we realize that artists may have an interest in using LEGO elements, or casts hereof, as an integrated part of their piece of art. In this connection, the LEGO Group would like to draw your attention to the following: The LEGO trademark cannot be used commercially in any way to promote, or name, the art work. The title of the artwork cannot incorporate the LEGO trademark. We cannot accept that the motive(s) are taken directly from our sales material/copyrighted photo material. The motive(s) cannot contain any political, religious, racist, obscene or defaming statements. It must be clear to the public that the LEGO Group has not sponsored or endorsed the art work/project. Therefore I am very sorry to let you know that we are not in a position to support the exhibition Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei by supplying the bulk order." Ai Weiwei Studio was informed by NGV about Lego's rejection of the bulk order. As a commercial entity, Lego produces and sells toys, movies and amusement parks attracting children across the globe. As a powerful corporation, Lego is an influential cultural and political actor in the globalized economy with questionable values. Lego's refusal to sell its product to the artist is an act of censorship and discrimination.

A photo posted by Ai Weiwei (@aiww) on Oct 24, 2015 at 3:14pm PDT

Following the backlash, LEGO have now decided to adjust their guidelines to find Ai Weiwei's request justifiable. In a statement posted on its website; "Previously, when asked to sell very large quantities of LEGO bricks for projects, the LEGO Group has asked about the thematic purpose of the project. This has been done, as the purpose of the LEGO Group is to inspire children through creative play, not to actively support or endorse specific agendas of individuals or organizations."

"However, those guidelines could result in misunderstandings or be perceived as inconsistent, and the LEGO Group has therefore adjusted the guidelines for sales of LEGO bricks in very large quantities."

The new guidelines came into effect 1 January 2016, meaning Ai Weiwei is now in the clear to use the pieces for his project. He's clearly pretty happy about it. 
 

 

 

A photo posted by Ai Weiwei (@aiww) on Jan 12, 2016 at 10:42pm PST

Now we only await all political statements to become LEGO. All politics to become LEGO. Everything to just become LEGO. Then the world will be happy.