Introducing Rakewell, Apollo’s wandering eye on the art world. Look out for regular posts taking a rakish perspective on art and museum stories.
Seeing as circumstances have prevented Ai Weiwei from getting out much over the past few years, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the artist has been taking advantage of his trip to London.
Since Ai arrived in Rakewell’s home town last week for his forthcoming Royal Academy show, barely a moment has passed that hasn’t resulted in a new Instagram post. From the day he arrived, when we were treated to a fetching set of topless selfies, the artist’s camera phone has been working overtime.
It’s been gratifyingly easy to pinpoint Ai’s whereabouts ever since. Here he is looning about with Christiane Amanpour:
Just met w @aiww in London – the 1st time he’s been free to attend an exhibition of his work outside China in 5 years pic.twitter.com/SG9FUOs7aX — Christiane Amanpour (@camanpour) September 10, 2015
Getting close to Charles Saumarez Smith:
Lunching with Alan Yentob:
Giving a rare middle finger to the camera with Anish Kapoor:
And capturing the quizzical gaze of Channel 4 News’s Jon Snow.
In between engagements, he’s also found time to drop by the opening of Parasol Unit’s Belgian art show, and have lunch with Grayson Perry, and grab a cup of tea at Burlington House.
Having lunch with @aiww (Ai Wei Wei) today “puts on best hat” pic.twitter.com/F7DDC8i5RJ
— Grayson Perry (@Alan_Measles) September 14, 2015
Also spotted Ai Wei Wei enjoying the sunshine and free speech at RA . pic.twitter.com/0kIqBVDgzQ — Sarah Gaventa (@sgaventa) September 10, 2015
Yesterday saw Ai dropping by Tate Modern’s new show, ‘The World Goes Pop’, where he snapped Chris Dercon and Uli Sigg, the former Swiss ambassador to China.
His appearance at the Bankside museum’s exhibition prompted a few Instagram commentators to suspect he was snubbing his own opening – they needn’t have worried. Ai was back at the Royal Academy at 6pm sharp, looking gregarious as ever.
Rakewell can only hope that Ai’s frantic schedule has left him with enough energy for tonight’s talk with Tim Marlow. As he told the Guardian recently, ‘The handshaking and the champagne are not what I’m very good at’. Given the evidence thus far, the Rake can’t help but suspect the artist is being too modest.
Applying the finishing touches @royalacademy with @aiww himself overseeing the works #AiWeiwei http://t.co/7prMV4Bgva pic.twitter.com/KfAWesnvFp — Momart (@MomartLtd) September 11, 2015
Got a story for Rakewell? Email tips to rakewell@apollomag.com
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