“Observations over time reveal that in the wake of human disasters be it pandemics, wars, or environmental crises, animals – particularly those closely connected to humans, such as cats – often suffer profoundly,” Weiwei told dezeen.com. “By incorporating cat patterns, the work reminds viewers that while human beings face crises of their own making, animals bear the brunt of these consequences, entirely innocent yet deeply affected.”
by David Stone, Editor Emeritus and European Bureau Chief
FDR Four Freedoms Conservancy scored an international win, bringing internationally acclaimed Chinese artist Ai Weiwei to Roosevelt Island for a major installation. As punishment for his incisive work after the Sichuan earthquake, Weiwei was imprisoned in his home country for 81 days. This did not smother his creative commitments.
Weiwei has since left China and shares an adopted home country, Portugal, with me. He also shares a commitment that art can make the world better. Today, that means opening a massive new art installation in FDR Four Freedoms State Park on Roosevelt Island.
Camouflage or Catmouflage
Officially, Weiwei’s installation is Camouflage, but his team says, “…the camouflage motif will consist of silhouettes of cats, an homage to the Wildlife Freedom Foundation animal shelter located nearby on Roosevelt Island.”
“Not easy time for doing good in the world,” notes Four Freedoms Park Conservancy executive director Howard Axel. Axel’s tenure with the conservancy overseeing the park has been marked with a series of impactful works of art. This one may be the topper, though, one demanding long hours of hard work for everyone involved.
If you would like to contribute to join the artist in supporting Wildlife Freedom Foundation’s incredible work in rescuing and providing shelter for animals on Roosevelt Island, click here.
Four Freedoms and Ai Weiwei are not the only people applauding WFF in its mission on Roosevelt Island.
“We’re excited to welcome Ai Weiwei to Roosevelt Island and thank Howard Axel and our partners at Four Freedoms Park Conservancy for bringing this once-in-a-lifetime art installation to our community,” adds Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation spokesman Bryant Daniels.
“What’s particularly compelling about Camouflage is that it was inspired, in part, by the cat sanctuary in Southpoint Park, operated by Wildlife Freedom Foundation. The artwork reimagines camouflage through cat patterns, reminding viewers that while humanity grapples with crises of its own making, animals often bear a difficult and silent burden of these conflicts. This powerful reminder of the need to protect vulnerable wildlife has always resonated with our community, as has the dedicated work of Rosanna Ceruzzi and her WFF team.”
PS: Weiwei has also embedded the silhouette of a dog somewhere in the installation. Can you find it?
An Emergency, Apparently
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