Contemporary Chinese artwork at the harbour of Copenhagen

World-famous Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has been appointed to create the installation that will replace the Little Mermaid while the fairytale statue is in China during EXPO 2010 Shanghai.

At a well-attended press conference on 5 May in the Danish Enterprise and Construction Authority, the National Committee for the Danish participation in EXPO 2010 disclosed the name of the artist behind an installation that will replace the Little Mermaid during EXPO 2010 in Shanghai.

The choice fell on Ai Weiwei – perhaps the internationally most recognised contemporary Chinese artist. Ai Weiwei is known for his artistic design of the Olympic Stadium in Beijing – the so-called Bird’s Nest.

Danish Minister for Economic and Business Affairs, Ms Lene Espersen:

“I welcome the cultural exchange between China and Denmark initiated by the loan of the Little Mermaid. It is very exciting that it has been possible to get world-renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei to create an installation for Langelinie,” she said.

Maria Fabricius Hansen, Associate Professor, Dr Phil and Member of the Board of Management, the New Carlsberg Foundation, stated the reason for the choice of Ai Weiwei:

“With great respect and consideration for the importance which Copenhagen and the Danes attribute to the Little Mermaid, Ai Weiwei has chosen to thematise the loan of the sculpture. Thus, Ai Weiwei’s piece of art supports and enhances the ideas that are central in the Danish pavilion in Shanghai: We wish to send the message that generosity and openness are values which we cherish,” she said.

Ai Weiwei is considered an anchorman of the first Chinese avant-garde movement. He was one of the founders of the art group ‘Stars’ in 1978 and is often referred to as the Andy Warhol of China.