PHOTOS: Alcatraz exhibit by artist Ai Weiwei is tribute to political prisoners

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Wednesday, September 24, 2014
A preview of the art exhibit @Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz Island Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014, in San Francisco.
A preview of the art exhibit @Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz Island Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014, in San Francisco.
A preview of the art exhibit @Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz Island Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014, in San Francisco.
A preview of the art exhibit @Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz Island Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014, in San Francisco.
A preview of the art exhibit @Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz Island Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014, in San Francisco.
A preview of the art exhibit @Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz Island Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014, in San Francisco.
A preview of the art exhibit @Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz Island Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014, in San Francisco.
A preview of the art exhibit @Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz Island Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014, in San Francisco.
A preview of the art exhibit @Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz Island Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014, in San Francisco.
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PHOTOS: Alcatraz exhibit by artist Ai Weiwei is tribute to political prisonersA preview of the art exhibit @Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz Island Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014, in San Francisco.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Alcatraz is undergoing a big change. The former prison which was home to Machine Gun Kelly and Al Capone is now hosting what many say is the most anticipated contemporary art show of the year.

AI Weiwei is one of China's most well-known dissidents. He was arrested in 2011 for tax evasion and his passport was confiscated.

He can't leave the country, but is making his voice heard around the world through his activism and art.

Alcatraz, once known as one of the world's most notorious prisons, is now doubling as a gallery for seven of his pieces.

The exhibit is called "@large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz.

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