This fall, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden will partner with the Newseum to launch a series of conversations with critically acclaimed artists, journalists, activists and academics to discuss the role of art and free speech in the 21st century. The four-part program will coincide with the Hirshhorn's current exhibition "Ai Weiwei: Trace at Hirshhorn" (June 28-Jan. 1, 2018), a solo project featuring new and recent work by renowned Chinese artist and freedom of expression advocate Ai Weiwei. The series will kick off right before Free Speech Week (Oct. 16-Oct. 22) with a public conversation at the Newseum Oct. 14 featuring Washington Post correspondent William Wan on his experience covering China and international human rights. Two events will be hosted at the Hirshhorn's Ring auditorium in October and December focusing on the power of art to raise awareness and spark action. The panel discussions will include renowned contemporary artists, including Pedro Reyes (b. 1972, Mexico), Laurie Jo Reynolds (b. 1968, U.S.), Hank Willis Thomas (b. 1976, U.S.) and Tania Bruguera (b. 1968, Cuba), as well as Creative Time chief curator Nato Thompson and The New Yorker journalist Evan Osonos, among others. An additional conversation at the Newseum will be held in November that will explore the role of freedom of expression, government censorship and human rights concerns around the world. For more information
https://hirshhorn.si.edu/collection/programs-calendar/#detail=/bio/conversation-awareness-action-dissent-part/