Protesters allowed inside the Milwaukee Art Museum

JSOnline: Protesters allowed inside the Milwaukee Art Museum
A small group of artists held a "sing in" at the Milwaukee Art Museum Friday in solidarity with detained Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. Inside, the museum prepared to open a large exhibit of Chinese art organized in cooperation with China on Saturday.

"We sang outside and inside for over an hour," said Peggy Hong, one of the event's organizers. "We got some thumbs up and fist pumps, and some museum visitors came to sing with us."

"We are justice seeking people," the group sang. "And we are singing, singing for our lives."

Museum visitors took photographs and video of the demonstration, including a large group of Chinese tourists, Hong said.

The protesters were supportive of the exhibit, "The Emperor's Private Paradise," an unprecedented show of 18th-century objects from the Forbidden City. But they called upon MAM to take a stronger stand against the suppression of artists in China.

"We believe strongly that the art museum has a strong responsibility to address the injustice that is going on in China right now," Hong told WISN.

Earlier this month, Mike Brenner came to MAM to shave his head in solidarity with Ai, creating a hairline similar to that of the detained artist. Brenner was booted from the premises by museum guards and police were called to the site. The story was picked up by media outlets around the world.

MAM's director Dan Keegan later told OnMilwaukee that the Brenner's protest was "cool" and the overreaction a goof up in museum communication.

"We of course have concern for any artist who is prevented from saying what he or she wants to say," Keegain told WISN.

Keegan declined interviews regarding Ai Weiwei for several weeks. As the final touches were placed on the exhibit, however, Keegan granted interviews in which he said he didn't believe the museum should engage in any form of protest, drawing into question the actions of other cultural institutions that have signed petitions and taken stronger stands.

Art world figures and institutions around the world have taken a stand, calling for Ai's release, by doing things such as signing a petition started by the Guggenheim. The Tate Modern placed a prominent banner on the exterior of its building that reads: "Release Ai Weiwei."

Keegan said he believes the museum should be a platform for learning, a safe place where the public can come to learn about Chinese culture and history, as well as the contemporary situation. To that end, MAM has scheduled a panel discussion regarding Ai Weiwei's case for July 7. The participants have not yet been announced.