Ai Weiwei’s newest monumental art installation, “Camouflage,” has been unveiled at the FDR Four Freedoms State Park as part of the new Art X Freedom public art commissioning program. This initiative aims to honor the legacy of Franklin D. Roosevelt by transforming the park into a dynamic space for artistic expression, community building, and social change.
The program, Art X Freedom, co-chaired by Four Freedoms Park Conservancy board member Allison Binns and social justice philanthropist Agnes Gund, seeks to engage artists in creating site-specific installations that delve into issues of social justice and freedom. This inaugural installation by Ai Weiwei exemplifies this mission. Located on the southernmost tip of Roosevelt Island, FDR Four Freedoms State Park was designed by the renowned modernist architect Louis Kahn to celebrate President Roosevelt’s advocacy for four fundamental human freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.
Ai Weiwei’s installation aligns with these themes, creating a space for contemplation and discourse. The installation, set against the park’s granite walls, features an open architectural structure draped in camouflage netting. This imagery is intended to provoke thoughts about vulnerability and protection, truth and concealment, and the profound impacts of human conflicts globally.
Visitors are invited to contribute to the installation by writing their reflections on freedom on ribbons and attaching them to the netting, adding a participatory element to the artwork. Howard Axel, CEO of Four Freedoms Park Conservancy, expressed his enthusiasm for the project.
Camouflage installation at FDR Park
“Artists have historically been at the forefront of activism and advocacy. Art X Freedom continues this tradition by inviting contemporary artists to re-envision FDR’s freedoms for future generations. Collaborating with Ai Weiwei to launch this initiative is an incredible honor.”
Agnes Gund, emphasizing the urgency of the initiative, remarked, “Public art is a mirror to our times.
Art X Freedom speaks to the urgent need to protect freedom for all, including freedom of speech, expression, and the right to dissent—values that are the cornerstone of democracy and justice.”
This project will be visible at the park through December 1st, 2025, covering the entire 3.5-acre space. The installation also pays homage to the park’s history as a sanctuary for wildlife and pets, integrating animal imagery into the camouflage pattern. A traditional Ukrainian proverb adorns the top of the structure: “For some people, war is war, for others, war is the dear mother,” alluding to the dual nature of conflict.
Art X Freedom will continue to commission future projects through a juried request-for-proposal process, inviting artists to explore the intersection of social justice and contemporary expression. Upcoming projects will involve public activations and educational programming to further engage park visitors and communities. Ai Weiwei, born in Beijing in 1957 and currently residing in Portugal, is recognized globally for his provocative work in art and human rights.
His diverse practice encompasses architecture, public art, and performance, consistently pushing the boundaries of conceptual creativity and universal symbolism. The unveiling of “Camouflage” marks a significant moment for both the park and the broader discourse on freedom and artistic expression. Visitors to FDR Four Freedoms State Park are encouraged to engage with the installation, reflecting on their personal understanding of freedom and its place in our society.
