In advance of the anticipated visit to the Princeton University campus by world renowned Chinese artist and activist, Ai Weiwei, the Woodrow Wilson School will host a special screening and discussion of the newly released documentary film directed by Alison Klayman, "Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry," on Monday, October 1, 2012, at 4:30 p.m., in both Dodds Auditorium and Bowl 016, Robertson Hall, on the Princeton University campus. Klayman will be on hand to participate in a discussion of the film following the screening.

“Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry” is the inside story of a dissident for the digital age who inspires global audiences and blurs the boundaries of art and politics.  First time director Alison Klayman gained unprecedented access to Ai while working as a journalist in China.  Her detailed portrait provides a nuanced exploration of contemporary China and one of its most compelling public figures.  Klayman was awarded a special jury prize at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. www.aiweiweineversorry.com. 

Ai is described as China’s most famous international artist, and its most outspoken domestic critic.  Ai expresses himself and organizes people through art and social media against a backdrop of China’s strict censorship and an unresponsive legal system.  His work in recent years has included collaboration on the design of the Beijing Olympic Stadium, or “Bird’s Nest,” for the 2008 Olympic Games; Sunflower Seeds, an exhibition at London’s Tate Modern featuring 100 million hand-painted porcelain seeds; and innovative uses of social media to advance artistic objectives, free speech and human rights.

To celebrate and explore Mr. Ai’s art and his dedication to human rights, Princeton has invited him for a day of student and community events on October 10, 2012. The day is scheduled to include a public talk and a panel discussion about his artwork and his work on human rights, as well as private meetings with faculty, students and University officials.

Currently, an exhibit of bronze monumental sculptures by Ai is on display at the University’s Scudder Plaza, in front of Robertson Hall, home of the Woodrow Wilson School. The exhibit, “Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads,” features 12 sculptures, each approximately 10 feet high and weighing 800 pounds, representing a sign of the Chinese zodiac (snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, dog, pig, rat, ox, tiger, rabbit and dragon.  The sculptures will be on display through August 1, 2013, and are part of a world tour of the work.