UPDATE: Chinese artist Ai Weiwei released

After being detained by the Chinese government for the last two months, artist and activist Ai Wei Wei has been released on bail. The public outcry for his release hopefully paid into the release. Ai Wei Wei is outspoken about his government's policies; in particular to human rights. Also his art pieces help transcend these notions.

"Nicholas Bequelin, Asia researcher for Human Rights Watch, welcomed news of the 54-year-old artist's release."

"His detention was political and his release is political. It is the result of a huge domestic and international outcry that forced the government to this resolution … I think Beijing realised how damaging it was to hold China's most famous artist in detention,"

story via - The New York Times

story via - The Guardian

story via - The BBC

West Village bodega Hercules’ Fancy Grocery

"Having befriended Hercules after years of visiting his store, Jody learned that his 40-year plus business was at risk of shutting down by the end of the month.

The choice for a location was clear, Store Buyout had begun.

Two days later, on May 20th 2011, the artists descended upon Hercules’ Fancy Grocery with cameras, a briefcase full of cash (gathered via three days of cash advances) and a proposition for the unsuspecting proprietor."

story via - storebuyout.com

action via - storebuyout.com

more @ fusionartsmuseum.org