Ai Weiwei
Nord Stream, 2022
Toy bricks mounted on aluminum
141 3/4 x 220 1/2 inches (360 x 560 cm
© Ai Weiwei; Photo by Argenis Apolinario; Courtesy the artist and Vito Schnabel Gallery
At Vito Schnabel Gallery, I talked with legendary conceptual artist, social activist and genuine provocateur Ai Weiwei about, among many other things, his new exhibition, “Child’s Play,” which runs through February 22. It showcases pixel-like Lego wall works of reimagined classic paintings and headline news that question the construction of our very reality. Our wide-ranging discussion has been edited for clarity and length.