Building up: Tree by Ai Weiwei

Today the work Tree (2010) by artist Ai Weiwei was placed at De Nieuwe Kerk. This work by Ai Weiwei is one of the highlights of the exhibition Buddha’s Life, Path to the Present. Ai Weiwei’s tree is made of old trees that were cut down in China, a country that is currently in the process of strong urbanisation. In this way he tries to preserve history. In the exhibition, the tree refers to the tree in Bodh Gaya under which Siddhārtha Gautama, also known as the Buddha, found enlightenment.

 

Buddha’s Life, Path to the Present 
Starting Sunday, September 16, ancient and modern are spectacularly combined in the exhibition Buddha’s Life, Path to the Present at De Nieuwe Kerk. Admire a wealth of thousands of years old objects and contemporary art from artists including Ai Weiwei and Yoko Ono. The earliest object dates from the third century A.D. and the most recent from 2018, since some of the installations are being created especially for this exhibition.

Buddha’s Life, Path to the Present will run from 16 September 2018 to 3 February 2019. Tickets are now online available on our website.