You don't have to enter the Minneapolis Institute of Art to see this new and powerful piece of art. 2,400 life jackets surround the pillars of Mia on E 24th Street. The reason this is so significant is because each of these life jackets were worn by refugees fleeing from Turkey to Greece because of war in Syria and Afghanistan.

The piece was done by "world-famous artist and activist, Ai Weiwei." Mia's curator and head of contemporary art Gabriel Ritter told KARE 11 that "'the life jackets were recovered and then donated to the artist by the mayor of Lesbos in 2016.'"

The bright colors are a big contrast from the typical grey/white pillars so it definitely grabs your attention. And when you realize what these life jackets are from it really makes you stop and think. Gabriel says he hopes "whoever lays eyes on the exhibition can think twice about what kind of people make up the fabric of America."

Once the snow is gone you'll be able to walk into the Mia entrance between these life jackets.

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