CNN
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A man smashed a sculpture by Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei on Friday during the opening of his exhibition at Palazzo Fava in the Italian city of Bologna, an exhibition spokesperson said.
CCTV footage posted on Ai Weiwei’s Instagram account showed a man vigorously pushing the sculpture, breaking it and then holding a piece above his head.
The sculpture targeted was the artist’s large blue and white “Porcelain Cube,” the spokesman said.
The exhibition’s curator, Arturo Galansino, said the author was well known in the art world.
“Unfortunately, I know the author of this inconsiderate gesture because of a series of disturbing and damaging episodes over the years involving various exhibitions and institutions in Florence,” Galansino said.
Bologna police told local media that a 57-year-old Czech man was arrested after being checked by museum security. Police could not immediately be reached for comment.
The spokesman said the exhibition, titled “Who Am I?” opened as usual on Saturday and the artwork would be replaced by a life-size reproduction of the cube. The exhibition is expected to run until May 4.
“Ai Weiwei was concerned that no one had been injured and then asked that the remains of the work be covered up and taken away,” he said.
It is unclear how the man entered the building during the invitation-only event on Friday.
