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Good Fences Make Good Neighbors

A provocative 2017-2018 citywide exhibition by artist Ai Weiwei, using security fences and documentary imagery to explore global migration crises and geopolitical divisions across New York City.

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Good Fences Make Good Neighbors
www.publicartfund.org, og_image_www.publicartfund.org

What is 'Good Fences Make Good Neighbors'?

It was a citywide public art exhibition in New York City by artist and human rights activist Ai Weiwei, presented by the Public Art Fund for its 40th anniversary.

What is the meaning behind the exhibition?

The project was conceived as a response to the international migration crisis and global geopolitical divisions, using the security fence as a social and artistic symbol.

Where was the art located?

The exhibition spanned the five boroughs of New York City. Major installations were placed at Doris C. Freedman Plaza, the Washington Square Arch, and the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, with additional works at the Essex Street Market, Cooper Union, and various bus shelters.

What did the installations consist of?

The exhibition featured over 300 artworks, including imposing fences, a massive archway, larger-than-life turnstiles, banners, and 98 documentary images derived from research at refugee camps displayed in advertising spaces.

When was the exhibition open?

The exhibition was open to the public from October 12, 2017, through February 11, 2018.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors was a massive public art installation commissioned by the Public Art Fund to celebrate its 40th anniversary. Running from October 12, 2017, to February 11, 2018, the exhibition transformed the city's landscape into a canvas for social commentary. The project was conceived by world-renowned artist and human rights activist Ai Weiwei as a response to the international migration crisis and wider geopolitical divisions, utilizing the security fence as a powerful artistic symbol. The exhibition was one of Ai Weiwei's largest public art projects, featuring more than 300 artworks spread across the five boroughs of New York City. The installations included imposing fences, larger-than-life turnstiles, and a massive archway. To integrate the work into the daily commute, the artist utilized advertising-bearing spaces, such as ten JCDecaux bus shelters, to display a series of 98 documentary images derived from his research at refugee camps. Major site-specific installations were placed at high-profile locations, including Doris C. Freedman Plaza at Central Park, the Washington Square Arch in Greenwich Village, and the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Other interventions occurred at private buildings on East 7th Street, Chrystie Street, and the Bowery, as well as at the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art at Astor Place. Beyond the major monuments, the project also included flagpole-mounted works at the Essex Street Market. By placing these works in public spaces, monuments, and transportation sites, Ai Weiwei sought to challenge the boundaries between art and the public, turning the city itself into a gallery of global human rights issues.

Visitor tips

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes as the installations are spread across multiple boroughs.
  • Bring a camera to capture the contrast between the security fences and the city's architecture.
  • Check current exhibition dates as this was a temporary installation from 2017 to 2018.

Nearby context

This citywide project linked iconic Manhattan landmarks like Washington Square Park and Central Park with outer-borough sites like Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens.

Sources

Evidence and links