Photos: ‘@Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz’

The image of Uyghur economist Ilham Tohti, foreground, is among the Lego portraits of imprisoned or exiled individuals in “Trace,” one of seven art installations by Chinese dissident Ai Weiwei, on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay.   (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

“With Wind” is a contemporary version of the traditional Chinese dragon kite, with human rights quotes written on some of its parts. It’s one of the seven art installations by Chinese dissident Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay.   (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Metal stools sit in the middle of A Block cells for “Stay Tuned,” a sound installation featuring the words and music of people who have been imprisoned for their beliefs. It, is one of the seven art installations by Chinese dissident Ai Weiwei, on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

A metal stool sits in the middle of a tiny A Block cell for Ai Weiwei’s sound installation “Stay Tuned” at Alcatraz Island.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Documentary technician Brian Copenhagen records “Illumination,” a sound installation featuring Buddhist chanting and a Hopi tribal song. It’s one of seven art installations by Chinese dissident Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Journalist Katy Steinmetz photographs “Blossom,” made up of intricately detailed ceramic flowers set into utilitarian fixtures in several hospital ward cells and medical offices. It’s one of seven art installations by Chinese dissident Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Light filters in through the bars and glass brick in a psychiatric observation cell where sound man Brian Copenhagen listens to “Illumination,” an installation featuring Buddhist chanting and a Hopi tribal song, on Alcatraz Island.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

The outside world is framed in a window in the remains of a warden’s house on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Justin Sullian photographs the 5-ton bird wing “Refraction,” which was created out of reflective panels of Tibetan solar cookers. It’s one of seven art installations crafted by Chinese dissident Ai Weiwei for an exhibition at Alcatraz.   (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

The mammoth 5-ton metal installation “Refraction” -- part of Ai Weiwei’s exhibition at Alcatraz -- is imprisoned within the stifling gloominess of the former prison. It’s a reflection of a way of life made impossible.   (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Freedom beckons across the bay. Visitors to Alcatraz Island take photos of themselves with the city in the background.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

It’s no longer a prison, but there are still restrictions at Alcatraz. The island near San Francisco is hosting an art exhibit that explores repression, “@Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz.”   (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)