"No, Ai Wei Wei is not coming to Kochi. He has been placed under house arrest in China," V Sunil, one of the trustees of the biennale told PTI.
The artist, whose documentary "Never Sorry" has just been shortlisted for the 2013 Oscar, is said to be currently under house arrest in China.
"I had met Ai Wei Wei in September 2010 during our research trip to Gwangju Biennale in South Korea. We spent around 45 minutes to one hour discussing the Kochi bienalle," said Bose Krishnamachari, one of the co-organisers of the Kochi Muziris Bienalle 2012, which opened here today.
The artist, who had criticised the Chinese government's policy of censorship through a Gangnam style video where he parodied South Korean singer Psy, has been banned from travelling outside China.
His video, which went viral all over the world, has also been removed by the Chinese government.
"Ai Wei wei said by doing a cultural thing like this, the world will look at you in a better way ..Because it's only through art and culture, you can create an alternative to the political scene and create a world without borders," said Krishnamachari.
The biennale will, however, display video works of the dissident artist.
However, two other artists--Beijing-based Sun Xun and Shangai-based Zhang Enli, are showcasing their works in the show.
"We do not know if Ai Wei Wei is coming here," Sun Xun said in halting English.
Xun has drawn sketches of numerous faces as part of his showcase here.
