WHAT CAN EXIST ON A BLANK PAGE?
That question gave rise to A4, the first intervention by Ai Weiwei created for a bookshop. A monumental installation composed of more than 200,000 blank sheets of paper. Exclusively at Livraria Lello.
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"Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right."
Created by Ai Weiwei for Livraria Lello, A4 transforms a simple sheet of paper into a powerful symbol of imagination, thought and freedom. Inspired by the White Paper Protests that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, the work begins with a simple gesture: the choice of a blank page as a form of expression. By transforming the absence of words into a language of its own, these protests revealed that even silence can carry meaning and that even a blank page can become the bearer of a message.
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A4 is a monumental installation composed of more than 200,000 blank sheets of paper, produced in Portugal from recycled textile fibres and cut to the A4 format—one of the world’s most universal paper sizes. The sheets rest on shelves crafted using traditional Chinese woodworking techniques.
Presented at Livraria Lello, A4 invites us to reflect on the relationship between the blank page, the book and the freedom to imagine, think and express ourselves.
Visit"Everything is art. Everything is politics."
FAQ'S
Respostas da Livraria Lello
You can contact Livraria Lello by email at customercare@livrarialello.pt, by telephone on +351 222002037 (call to the Portuguese national landline network), in person, or by post at Rua das Carmelitas, 144, 4050-161 Porto, Portugal.
Livraria Lello is open Monday to Sunday, from 9h00 to 19h30. We are closed on 1 January, Easter Sunday, 1 May, 24 June and 25 December.
Livraria Lello accepts the following payment methods: cash, Multibanco, Visa and MB WAY. Please note that if you purchase your Ticket-Voucher while in the queue, cash payments are not accepted.
You can purchase your Ticket-Voucher online before your visit. If you have not purchased it by the time you arrive at Livraria Lello, you can do so on the spot using your mobile phone. Should you need any assistance, simply speak to a member of our staff—we will be happy to help you through the process.
To enter Livraria Lello, you must purchase a Ticket-Voucher, even if your intention is to buy books. However, the full value of your Ticket-Voucher can be redeemed against the purchase of books. Please visit the Ticket-Voucher section to learn more.
In addition to the situations established by law—people with disabilities or reduced mobility, people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, and adults accompanied by infants—holders of the Amigo Card are also entitled to priority entry
Admission to Livraria Lello is free for children up to and including the age of 3. Please note that you must present an official document confirming the child’s age at the time of your visit.
Your Ticket-Voucher is valid until 60 minutes after your scheduled entry time.
You can purchase Ticket-Vouchers online for the same day, up to 30 minutes before Livraria Lello closes, subject to availability (availability is shown on the product page).
Your Ticket-Vouchers will be sent to your email address and will also be available in your personal account if you created one on our website. You can present them on your mobile device (smartphone or tablet) at the entrance to Livraria Lello when you arrive for your visit.