Client: Public Art Fund

Overview

The work of Internationally renowned multidisciplinary artist and activist, Ai Weiwei, Arch sees a 40-foot tall x 20′ wide x 14′ deep, cage-like structure installed beneath New York’s iconic Washington Square Arch. Hot dipped galvanized steel framework with a polished stainless steel, hand-formed passageway.

Goals

The citywide exhibition "Ai Weiwei: Good Fences Make Good Neighbors" is one of Ai Weiwei's biggest public art projects to date, the project comprises more than 300 individual installations across the five boroughs of New York City as commissioned by The Public Art Fund. Perfected in mirror polished stainless steel, the sculptural structure creates a passageway in the form of two united human silhouettes. Combining the form of a passageway with that of a fence or cage, the artwork creates a paradox which provokes discussion on issues relating to borders, immigration and access, and begs us to consider the inherent dualities of the world we live in.

Process

Arch is one of two works realised by UAP in collaboration with the artist for the Public Art Fund citywide exhibition "Ai Weiwei: Good Fences Make Good Neighbors". Solving for the constraints of the dense public sites, budget, and tight schedule, the process was a daily collaboration with all parties. UAP worked closely with Public Art Fund, Ai Weiwei, technical designers, engineer, and install teams to deliver the 2 largest public pieces in the citywide commission.