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Ai Weiwei Wraps the Columns of Berlin’s Konzerthaus with 14,000 Salvaged Refugee Life Vests

Image via Markus Winninghoff

Image via Oliver Lang / Konzerthaus Berlin

Ai Weiwei has produced a five-column installation on the facade of Berlin’s Konzerthaus, a collection of 14,000 life vests from refugees who landed on the Greek Island of Lesbos after battling the Mediterranean Sea from Turkey. Ai hopes the bright orange installation draws attention to the hundreds of refugees that are trying to reach Europe each day, over 400 of whom have died attempting the same journey since the beginning of the year.

Although thousands of the life jackets can now be seen in Berlin, this does not begin to account for the thousands of jackets that remain on the shores of the Greek island, pointing to the number of refugees who have passed through the island. Since last December Ai has shared dozens of images of refugees who have come to Lesbos on his personal Instagram account, including this image of a mass of life vests left behind.

The temporary art installation was created for the Cinema for Peace gala which took place February 15, 2016. Ai was the honorary president of this year’s jury. (via Designboom)

Image via Oliver Lang / Konzerthaus Berlin

Image via Oliver Lang / Konzerthaus Berlin

Image via Oliver Lang / Konzerthaus Berlin

Image via Markus Winninghoff

Image via Frank Löschner / Konzerthaus Berlin

Image via Frank Löschner / Konzerthaus Berlin

Image via Frank Löschner / Konzerthaus Berlin