It’s a show that even Lego couldn’t stop. This summer, two great artists— one from the 20th century, one from the 21st, who never officially met—come together in a major exhibition at NGV International.

It’s a show that pops with colour, energy, proclamations and ideas. Both artists are mass producers of works and are both prone to critically examine the role and function of an artist, as brand, as spokesperson and cultural producer.  The exhibition delves into the intersections  and diverting views of these two formidable artists— Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei.

‘I believe this is a very interesting and important exhibition and an honour for me to have the opportunity to be exhibited alongside Andy Warhol. This is a great privilege for me as an artist,’ said Ai Weiwei.

While in conversation with NGV director Tony Ellwood, Ai spoke of once seeing his idol, Warhol from afar. The Chinese artist had gone across to New York in 1981, essentially, ‘as far away from China as possible’ to the centre of contemporary art activities. After dropping out of Parsons (School of design in NYC) he became a ‘kind of illegal resident’ for some 12 years.

It was his return to China to be beside his ailing father that saw him run afoul of the government forces. What happened was the internet. Or rather, in 2005 Ai ‘fell in love with the internet’ spending some eight hours a day blogging his scathing social commentary. This was the beginning of his political activities which were met with violent assault, the destruction of his studio, several arrests and imprisonment.

It seems that Danish company, Lego, didn’t want to play nice either when they denied Ai’s request for a bulk order of Lego pieces for an installation about Australian human rights activists. Thanks to Melbourne’s quickly responding public, a Lego drop off spot was designated at the NGV and the resulting work, a walk through cube room featuring the words of the likes of Rosie Batty, is the unofficial centrepiece.

Besides the Lego work “Let go”, Ai Weiwei presents a suite of new works including the stunning ceramic carpet of flowers Blossom 2015 and an installation of some 1500 bicycles in the foyer of the NGV.

Ai Wei Wei is rarely able to attend his own openings, his passport was confiscated for some four years recently. Yet the humbly smiling artist graciously posed for selfies with fans at the media preview of the show. He also commented somewhat cheekily that he could save his energy and concentrate on his work by not attending.

Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei: On display at NGV International from 11 December 2015 – 24 April 2016. Open daily 10am–5pm.
In January 2016, open 10am–8pm. Friday Nights at NGV open 6–10pm.