中国の人権活動家で芸術家の艾未未（アイウェイウェイ）氏が、デンマークの玩具会社のレゴからアート作品に使用するブロックの販売を断られた。艾氏は「検閲であり差別だ」とレゴ社の対応を批判している。彼が10月24日、画像投稿サービス「Instagram」に投稿したことで明らかになった。
艾氏は、オーストラリアのビクトリア国立美術館で12月に開かれる展覧会に出展するため、レゴのブロックを大量に使って作品を作るつもりだった。ところがレゴは10月21日、「政治的な作品でのレゴの利用には同意できない」と返答してきたたという。
CNNによると、レゴ広報は艾氏のケースについてはコメントはできないとしながらも、「政治的な文脈でのレゴ利用について積極的な関与や支持は控えている」と説明したという。
艾氏はトイレの便器にレゴを入れた写真を掲載して「芸術家への製品販売を拒むレゴの行為は検閲であり差別だ」と投稿した。艾氏に対して、新プロジェクトのために手持ちのレゴを提供するという申し出が世界中から相次いでいる。艾氏は、ガーディアン紙の記者からの質問に申し出を「受け入れる方法を探す」とコメントした。
僕のを使ってよ。作品が完成すればうれしい
これはうちにあるレゴブロックの1割くらいだけど、もう買う予定はない。あなたに貸しますよ
申し出を受け入れる方法を探すよ。（ガーディアン紙の記者から「世界中からレゴブロックを提供する声が相次いでいるけど、受けいれるつもりはある？」と聞かれて）
アイ・ウェイウェイ画像集
Ai Weiwei 'So Sorry' Exhibition Opening(01 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 11: Ai Weiwei, one of China\'s most controversial artists, uses his cellular phone during the \'So Sorry\' exhibition opening at \'Haus der Kunst\' on October 11, 2009 in Munich, Germany. The show \'So Sorry\' will be open to the public till January 17, 2010. (Photo by Miguel Villagran/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ai Weiwei 'So Sorry' Exhibition Opening(02 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 11: Ai Weiwei, one of China\'s most controversial artists, takes a picture with his cellular phone during the \'So Sorry\' exhibition opening at \'Haus der Kunst\' on October 11, 2009 in Munich, Germany. The show \'So Sorry\' will be open to the public till January 17, 2010. (Photo by Miguel Villagran/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ai Weiwei 'So Sorry' Exhibition Opening(03 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 11: Ai Weiwei, one of China\'s most controversial artists, takes a picture with his cellular phone during the \'So Sorry\' exhibition opening at \'Haus der Kunst\' on October 11, 2009 in Munich, Germany. The show \'So Sorry\' will be open to the public till January 17, 2010. (Photo by Miguel Villagran/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ai Wei Wei 'So Sorry' Exhibition Preparations(04 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 09: The art installation \'20 chairs from the Qing dynasty\' by Ai Weiwei, one of China\'s most controversial artists, is pictured at \'Haus der Kunst\' on October 9, 2009 in Munich, Germany. The show \'So Sorry\' will open on October 12, 2009 for public. (Photo by Miguel Villagran/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ai Wei Wei 'So Sorry' Exhibition Preparations(05 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 09: A man takes a look at the art installation \'Cube light\' by Ai Weiwei, one of China\'s most controversial artists, at \'Haus der Kunst\' on October 9, 2009 in Munich, Germany. The show \'So Sorry\' will open on October 12, 2009 for public. (Photo by Miguel Villagran/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chinese Artist Ai Weiwei Unveils This Year's Unilever Installation At The Tate Modern(06 of27)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 11: A worker rakes the seeds of Chinese Artist Ai Weiwei\'s Unilever Installation \'Sunflower Seeds\' at The Tate Modern on October 11, 2010 in London, England. The sculptural installation comprises 100 million handmade porcelain replica sunflower seeds. Visitors to the Turbine Hall will be able to walk on the work - which opens on October 12, 2010 and runs until May 2, 2011. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chinese Artist Ai Weiwei Unveils This Year's Unilever Installation At The Tate Modern(07 of27)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 11: A child plays with some of the seeds in Chinese Artist Ai Weiwei\'s Unilever Installation \'Sunflower Seeds\' on show at The Tate Modern on October 11, 2010 in London, England. The sculptural installation comprises 100 million handmade porcelain replica sunflower seeds. Visitors to the Turbine Hall will be able to walk on the work - which opens on October 12, 2010 and runs until May 2, 2011. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chinese Artist Ai Weiwei Unveils This Year's Unilever Installation At The Tate Modern(08 of27)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 11: Chinese Artist Ai Weiwei holds some seeds from his Unilever Installation \'Sunflower Seeds\' at The Tate Modern on October 11, 2010 in London, England. The sculptural installation comprises 100 million handmade porcelain replica sunflower seeds. Visitors to the Turbine Hall will be able to walk on the work - which opens on October 12, 2010 and runs until May 2, 2011. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ai Weiwei's Circle Of Animals/Zodiac Heads At Somerset House(09 of27)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 11: A woman examines sculptures in the series entitled \'Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads\' by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei in the courtyard of Somerset House on May 11, 2011 in London, England. The installation comprises of 12 bronze heads of animals which feature in the Chinese zodiac. The artist Ai Weiwei, who is outspoken in his criticism of the Chinese administration, was detained by authorities in Beijing on April 3, 2011 and his whereabouts remain unknown. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ai Weiwei Exhibition Opens In Bregenz(10 of27)
BREGENZ, AUSTRIA - JULY 15: Visitors attend the opening of an exhibition that focuses on the architectural work of the Chinese artist, Ai Weiwei, at Kunsthaus Bregenz on July 15, 2011 in Bregenz, Austria. Chinese authorities have released Ai Weiwei from detention though have thus far refused to grant him permission to travel. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ai Weiwei Exhibition Opens In Bregenz(11 of27)
BREGENZ, AUSTRIA - JULY 15: Bags with the message \'Free Ai Weiwei\' are for sale during the opening of an exhibition that focuses on the architectural work of the Chinese artist, Ai Weiwei, at Kunsthaus Bregenz on July 15, 2011 in Bregenz, Austria. Chinese authorities have released Ai Weiwei from detention though have thus far refused to grant him permission to travel. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ai Weiwei Exhibition Opens In Bregenz(12 of27)
BREGENZ, AUSTRIA - JULY 15: Visitors attend the opening of an exhibition that focuses on the architectural work of the Chinese artist, Ai Weiwei, at Kunsthaus Bregenz on July 15, 2011 in Bregenz, Austria. Chinese authorities have released Ai Weiwei from detention though have thus far refused to grant him permission to travel. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Work Of Chinese Activist Artist Ai Weiwei Projected In DC(13 of27)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 17: Images and quotes by Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei are seen projected on a 74-foot-tall marble First Amendment tablet on the exterior of the Newseum on January 17, 2013 in Washington, DC. The exhibit runs 7 p.m. each night through January 17. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Miami Artist Destroys Vase By Chinese Artist Ai Weiwei In Museum(14 of27)
MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 18: Museum patrons stand next to the exhibit by artist Ai Weiwei: \'According To What?\' at the Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) on February 18, 2014 in Miami, Florida. On February 16, a person broke one of the vases in the exhibit and is facing a criminal charge after police say he smashed the $1 million vase in what appears to be a form of protest against the lack of lack of local artist on display. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
'Ai Weiwei - Evidence' Exhibition Preview(15 of27)
BERLIN, GERMANY - APRIL 02: Visitors look at the work \'He Xie\', or \'Crabs\', at the press preview to the \'Evidence\' exhibition by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei at Martin Gropius Bau on April 2, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. \'Evidence,\' which is among the biggest exhibitions of Ai Weiwei\'s work, will be open to the public from April 3 to July 7, 2014. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
'Ai Weiwei - Evidence' Exhibition Preview(16 of27)
BERLIN, GERMANY - APRIL 02: A visitor looks at 150 bicycles hanging as part of the work \'Very Yao\' at the press preview to the \'Evidence\' exhibition by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei at Martin Gropius Bau on April 2, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. \'Evidence,\' which is among the biggest exhibitions of Ai Weiwei\'s work, will be open to the public from April 3 to July 7, 2014. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
'Ai Weiwei - Evidence' Exhibition Preview(17 of27)
BERLIN, GERMANY - APRIL 02: A visitor looks at the work \'Stools\' at the press preview to the \'Evidence\' exhibition by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei at Martin Gropius Bau on April 2, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. \'Evidence,\' which is among the biggest exhibitions of Ai Weiwei\'s work, will be open to the public from April 3 to July 7, 2014. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
'Ai Weiwei - Evidence' Exhibition Preview(18 of27)
BERLIN, GERMANY - APRIL 02: Visitors look at the work \'He Xie\', or \'Crabs\', at the press preview to the \'Evidence\' exhibition by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei at Martin Gropius Bau on April 2, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. \'Evidence,\' which is among the biggest exhibitions of Ai Weiwei\'s work, will be open to the public from April 3 to July 7, 2014. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
'Ai Weiwei - Evidence' Exhibition Preview(19 of27)
BERLIN, GERMANY - APRIL 02: 150 bicycles hang as part of the work \'Very Yao\' at the press preview to the \'Evidence\' exhibition by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei at Martin Gropius Bau on April 2, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. \'Evidence,\' which is among the biggest exhibitions of Ai Weiwei\'s work, will be open to the public from April 3 to July 7, 2014. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
'Ai Weiwei - Evidence' Exhibition Preview(20 of27)
BERLIN, GERMANY - APRIL 02: A visitor looks at the work \'Stools\' at the press preview to the \'Evidence\' exhibition by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei at Martin Gropius Bau on April 2, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. \'Evidence,\' which is among the biggest exhibitions of Ai Weiwei\'s work, will be open to the public from April 3 to July 7, 2014. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
'Ai Weiwei - Evidence' Exhibition Preview(21 of27)
BERLIN, GERMANY - APRIL 02: The work \'Circle of Animals\' stands during the press preview to the \'Evidence\' exhibition by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei at Martin Gropius Bau on April 2, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. \'Evidence,\' which is among the biggest exhibitions of Ai Weiwei\'s work, will be open to the public from April 3 to July 7, 2014. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
'Ai Weiwei - Evidence' Exhibition Preview(22 of27)
BERLIN, GERMANY - APRIL 02: The jade work \'Handcuffs\' lies on display during the press preview to the \'Evidence\' exhibition by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei at Martin Gropius Bau on April 2, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. \'Evidence,\' which is among the biggest exhibitions of Ai Weiwei\'s work, will be open to the public from April 3 to July 7, 2014. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
'Ai Weiwei - Evidence' Exhibition Preview(23 of27)
BERLIN, GERMANY - APRIL 02: The marble work \'Mask\' lies on display during the press preview to the \'Evidence\' exhibition by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei at Martin Gropius Bau on April 2, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. \'Evidence,\' which is among the biggest exhibitions of Ai Weiwei\'s work, will be open to the public from April 3 to July 7, 2014. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
'Ai Weiwei - Evidence' Exhibition Preview(24 of27)
BERLIN, GERMANY - APRIL 02: A visitor walks past the work \'Souvenir from Shanghai\' that uses materials from Ai Weiwei\'s destroyed studio during the press preview to the \'Evidence\' exhibition by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei at Martin Gropius Bau on April 2, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. \'Evidence,\' which is among the biggest exhibitions of Ai Weiwei\'s work, will be open to the public from April 3 to July 7, 2014. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ai Wei Wei: According To What? Media Preview(25 of27)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 16: A general view of atmosphere during the media preview for Ai Wei Wei: According To What? at Brooklyn Museum on April 16, 2014 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ai Wei Wei: According To What? Media Preview(26 of27)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 16: A general view of atmosphere during the media preview for Ai Wei Wei: According To What? at Brooklyn Museum on April 16, 2014 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
To go with 'China-rights-culture-art-jus(27 of27)
To go with \'China-rights-culture-art-justice\', by Bill Savadove\nIn a photo taken on June 25, 2012 Chinese artist Ai Weiwei speaks to AFP inside his compound in Beijing. Ai has a metaphor for the travel ban that will prevent him attending the growing number of exhibitions of his work being held around the world as his renown increases. AFP PHOTO / Ed Jones (Photo credit should read Ed Jones/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty Images)
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