Anish Kapoor appears to be a good bloke. Not only does he create large-scale artworks involving mirrors and catapults, that manage to please bohemian chin-strokers and casual passers-by alike, but he has declared his support for his fellow artist Ai Weiwei, who is being held by the Chinese authorities: Kapoor has dedicated his new installation in Paris to Ai, who has been accused of unspecified “economic crimes”.
But what, apart from dignified speeches, can an artist do? Gestures might mean something on China’s doorstep – as the artists of Hong Kong are attempting to prove – but what about Paris or London or New York? Kapoor revealed his preferred tactic on this morning’s Today programme: “Perhaps all museums should be closed for a day.”
Now, as a writer and a blogger, I’m as guilty as anyone of ranting from the sidelines then hiding before anyone suggests I might care to don the captain’s armband. But I’m trying very hard to picture a senior Party apparatchik in Beijing hearing the dread news that the V&A will be shut next Thursday and immediately ordering that the beardy artist should be released. Maybe stick to the mirrors and catapults, mate.
But what, apart from dignified speeches, can an artist do? Gestures might mean something on China’s doorstep – as the artists of Hong Kong are attempting to prove – but what about Paris or London or New York? Kapoor revealed his preferred tactic on this morning’s Today programme: “Perhaps all museums should be closed for a day.”
Now, as a writer and a blogger, I’m as guilty as anyone of ranting from the sidelines then hiding before anyone suggests I might care to don the captain’s armband. But I’m trying very hard to picture a senior Party apparatchik in Beijing hearing the dread news that the V&A will be shut next Thursday and immediately ordering that the beardy artist should be released. Maybe stick to the mirrors and catapults, mate.
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