Lego won’t send any bricks to Ai Weiwei’s latest art project

Lego has refused to send Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei a bulk order of its toy bricks, the artist claims, because it “cannot approve the use of Legos for political works.” The artist condemns the Danish toymakers’ decision, calling the incident “an act of censorship and discrimination.” Ai Weiwei, who is known for his criticism of the Chinese government’s iron-fisted censorship, said in an Instagram post on Friday he planned to use the Lego in an artistic piece on free speech called “Andy Warhol / Ai Weiwei” which was to be displayed Australia’s National Gallery of Victoria later this year.

As a powerful corporation, Lego is an influential cultural and political actor in the globalized economy with questionable values.

Ai Weiwei

Earlier this year, the toymaker refused a submission for a custom set to journalist Maia Weinstock’s project to celebrate the female justices of the US supreme court, according to the Guardian. “We acknowledge, that LEGO bricks today are used globally by millions of fans, adults, children and artists as a creative medium to express their imagination and creativity in many different ways,” wrote Lego spokesman Roar Rude Trangbæk to the The Huffington Post. Following the decision the artist confirmed he will set up a network of collection points to receive Lego block donations, after he set off a social media storm.

As a company dedicated to delivering great creative play experiences to children, we refrain - on a global level - from actively engaging in in or endorsing the use of LEGO bricks in projects or contexts of a political agenda.

Lego spokesman Roar Rude

Arts Ai Weiwei