cityscape Scene: Ai Weiwei’s Bikes Arrive at Nathan Phillips Square

Ai Weiwei's contribution to Nuit Blanche 2013 has arrived, but some assembly is required.

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WHERE: Nathan Phillips Square

WHEN: Thursday, September 19, 11:30 a.m.

WHAT: Nuit Blanche 2013 is still a couple weeks away, but this morning assembly work began on what’s expected to be one of the all-night art event’s major installations: Forever Bicycles, a commission from the world-famous Chinese artist and dissident Ai Weiwei. The piece will consist of 3,144 bikes, all interconnected to form a massive, three-dimensional structure. It’s expected to take 15 days to assemble, and will remain on display even after Nuit Blanche ends, until October 27. Another sculpture by Ai, Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads, is currently on display in the Nathan Phillips Square reflecting pool, and the Art Gallery of Ontario is hosting a big exhibition of his work.