Ai Weiwei — Aftershock at MAXXI L’Aquila: an exhibition on seismic

Ai Weiwei — Aftershock at MAXXI L’Aquila

Venue: MAXXI L’Aquila, Palazzo Ardinghelli

Dates: 29 April — 6 September 2026

Aftershock marks Ai Weiwei’s return to Italy with a substantial presentation of works addressing the aftermath of earthquakes and collective memory. Curated by Tim Marlow, the show gathers about seventy works, including previously unseen installations, videos, photographs and sculptures.

The exhibition draws a direct connection between pieces created in response to the 2008 Sichuan earthquake and L’Aquila’s recent experience of reconstruction. Hosting the show in Palazzo Ardinghelli enhances the conversation between contemporary art and a rehabilitated urban setting.

• Key work: Straight — made from steel reinforcement bars recovered from collapsed schools in Sichuan.
• Other highlights: camouflaged installations, documentary videos and photographic sequences exploring vulnerability and political critique.
• Curator: Tim Marlow (Design Museum, London).

For visitors, Aftershock presents a direct, emotionally charged itinerary: familiar materials — steel, porcelain, fabric — are repurposed as tools of remembrance and social commentary. The show’s layout emphasizes the relationship between works and the historic spaces of Palazzo Ardinghelli, offering a site-specific reading.

Practical tips:

• Check the MAXXI website for opening hours and possible closures before your visit.
• Allow around 90 minutes to fully experience the exhibition.
• The show suits audiences interested in art and public memory; guided tours are recommended for historical context.

Why go: Aftershock demonstrates how contemporary art can convert materials and testimony into a critical narrative about memory, civic responsibility and the challenges of reconstruction.