Tickets for Ai Weiwei: According to What? at the AGO go on sale Saturday, July 27

First block of tickets for David Bowie is to be released in special combo package on same day

TORONTO, July 24, 2013 /CNW/ - Heralded as the "the most powerful figure in contemporary art today" by ArtReview, Ai Weiwei makes his Toronto exhibition debut at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) on Aug. 17, 2013. Comprising more than 40 large scale works of art including sculptures, photographs and video and audio installations, Ai Weiwei: According to What? blends the artist's activism with traditional Chinese materials and symbols to present a compelling vision of his ongoing fight for freedom of expression in the face of Chinese government censorship. Tickets for the exhibition, which runs to Oct. 27, 2013, go on sale on July 27, 2013.

Timed-entry tickets for Ai Weiwei: According to What? are $16.50 for youth ages 17 and under, $21.50 for seniors and $25 for adults. Admission is FREE for AGO members and for children ages five and under.

Also, beginning on July 27 ticket buyers will be offered a special opportunity to upgrade to a combo package that includes early access to the first block of tickets for the highly anticipated exhibition David Bowie is, which starts its world tour at the AGO on Sept. 25, 2013 after finishing a successful run at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Combo tickets—which offer timed-entry access to any time slot for Ai Weiwei: According to What? and the first month of David Bowie is—are $31.50 for youth ages 17 and under, $36.50 for seniors and $40 for adults.

Single tickets for Ai Weiwei: According to What? and combo tickets can be booked in person, by phone at [phone] or online by visiting ago.net/aiweiwei. Single tickets for David Bowie is go on sale on Aug. 23, but early purchase via the combo package is encouraged as quantities are limited for high-demand time slots. AGO members can book single tickets for David Bowie is on July 27, 2013. For more information on becoming an AGO member, please visit ago.net/membership.

Ai Weiwei: According to What? is curated by Mami Kataoka, the chief curator of the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo. "Ai Weiwei is best known as a dissident artist whose works give insight to not only his political criticisms but also his fierce commitment to Chinese traditional culture," said Kataoka. "His art transcends borders and compels viewers to examine issues of fundamental human conditions, values and freedoms." The AGO's installation will be overseen by Kitty Scott, the Gallery's curator of modern and contermporary art.

AGO extends invitation to Chinese-speaking community members
The AGO is undertaking several initiatives to draw attention to Ai's ongoing campaign for greater freedom of expression within China. Working with Toronto artist Gein Wong, the Gallery invites members of the GTA who speak a Chinese dialect to participate in Say Their Names, Remember, a live reading of the names of the thousands of schoolchildren who perished in the devastating earthquake in China's Sichuan province on May 12, 2008. Those who wish to participate on Aug. 18, 2013 can register at ago.net.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Ai Weiwei: According to What? was organized by the Mori Art Museum, Tokyo and the Art Gallery of Ontario. It is curated by the Mori Art Museum's chief curator, Mami Kataoka.

Leadership gifts in support of the exhibition from Emmanuelle Gattuso and Allan Slaight and the Hal Jackman Foundation. Additional generous support from The Delaney Family Foundation; Donner Canadian Foundation; Partners in Art; and Francis and Eleanor Shen.

Assistance from media partner The Globe and Mail. Contemporary programming at the AGO is generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.

The installation of Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads was made possible in part by AW Asia, New York.

David Bowie is was organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. www.vam.ac.uk

Sound experience by Sennheiser.

Leadership gifts in support of the exhibition from Emmanuelle Gattuso and Allan Slaight; Maxine Granovsky Gluskin and Ira Gluskin; and Robert and Cheryl McEwen. 

Assistance from government partner: Government of Ontario.

Contemporary programming at the AGO is generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts. 

The Art Gallery of Ontario is funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Additional operating support is received from the City of Toronto, the Canada Council for the Arts and generous contributions from AGO members, donors and private-sector partners.

SOURCE: Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)

For press inquiries, please contact:

Andrea McLoughlin; Senior Publicist, Holmes PR
416-628-5609, [email protected]

Adrienne Kakoullis; Vice President, Holmes PR
416-826-5610, [email protected]

Andrea-Jo Wilson; AGO News Officer
416-979-6660, ext. 403, [email protected]