How did Ai Weiwei draw attention to the global refugee crisis in Berlin in 2016?

In 2016, Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei drew international attention to the global refugee crisis through a powerful public installation at the Konzerthaus Berlin concert hall. He wrapped the building's columns in 14,000 life vests, which he had personally collected on the Greek island of Lesbos during the height of the Syrian Civil War.1

This installation served a dual purpose: it acted as a poignant tribute to the individuals who lost their lives while attempting the dangerous sea crossing from Turkey to Europe, and it functioned as a visual protest to highlight the plight of the thousands of asylum seekers arriving daily. By utilizing these discarded items, Ai transformed a site of culture into a stark reminder of the humanitarian crisis unfolding across the globe.1