Ai Weiwei's "Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads"
One of the most important figures in the Chinese world of contemporary art is the artist and architect Ai Weiwei. Ai is also a political activist who speaks openly about the Chinese Government’s stance on democracy and human rights. In fact, this past April, Ai was arrested in Beijing and was held for more than two months without any official charges made. I was very happy to hear of his recent release and to learn that he is working on his art again. I have always admired Ai’s art and had the great honor of visiting his phenomenal studio when I traveled to Beijing in 2007.
On Wednesday of this week, I stopped by Central Park in Manhattan to view an outdoor exhibit of Mr. Ai’s called “Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads.” “Circle of Animals” is a series of 12 heads of the creatures of the Chinese Zodiac, which also correspond to their calendar years. These heads, which Ai cast in bronze are enlarged versions of those that were designed by European Jesuits in the 18th century for the Manchu emperor Qianlong. They were part of a famous fountain clock in the Summer Palace and were looted when the British and French troops stormed the complex in 1860. Over the years, some of the heads resurfaced, but 5 may be lost forever. This exhibit is Ai Weiwei’s interpretation of those famed zodiac heads. This impressive exhibition ends on July 15th and I urge anyone who is able to see it.
1 The Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads are displayed at the Pulitzer Fountain at the entrance to Central Park.
2 The sign says it all.
3 The Chinese Zodiac typically begins with the sign of The Rat and is considered to be intense, meticulous, charismatic, sensitive, intellectual, industrious, charming, and shrewd.
4 The Rat can also be manipulative, vindictive, self-destructive, obstinate, critical, over-ambitious, ruthless, and scheming.
5 The Ox is ambitious, dependable, calm, hardworking, steady, modest, logical, tenacious. But The Ox can be stubborn, hot-tempered, narrow-minded, materialistic, and demanding.
6 The Tiger is powerful, passionate, daring, impulsive, stimulating, sincere, affectionate, humanitarian, and generous.
7 But The Tiger can be impatient, quick-tempered, obstinate, selfish, aggressive, and moody.
8 The Rabbit is kind, sensitive, soft-spoken, amiable, reserved, thorough, tender, self-assured, shy, compassionate, lucky, and flexible.
9 But The Rabbit can also be moody, detached, superficial, self-indulgent, opportunistic, and stubborn.
10 The Dragon is strong, self-assured, direct, dignified, eccentric, intellectual, fiery, passionate, decisive, artistic, generous, and loyal.
11 The Dragon can also be arrogant, tactless, demanding, intolerant, violent, impetuous, and brash.
12 The Snake is wise, soft-spoken, sensual, creative, shrewd, elegant, responsible, strong, and purposeful.
13 But The Snake can also be cold, possessive, hedonistic, self-doubting, distrustful, and deceitful.
14 The Horse is popular, cheerful, quick-witted, perceptive, agile, intelligent, flexible, and open-minded.
15 The Horse can also be stubborn, fickle, childish, anxious, rude, gullible, stubborn, and arrogant.
16 The Goat is mild-mannered, shy, sincere, sympathetic, creative, gentle, mothering, and generous.
17 But The Goat can be moody, indecisive, a worrier, pessimistic, a complainer, weak-willed, and over-sensitive.
18 The Monkey is inventing, motivating, quick-witted, inquisitive, self-assured, sociable, polite, competitive, objective, and dignified.
19 The Monkey can be arrogant, selfish, deceptive, cunning, jealous, and suspicious.
20 The Rooster is a perfectionist, self-assured, decisive, critical, alert, practical, and responsible.
21 But The Rooster can also be be abrasive and critical, puritanical, egotistical, proud, and opinionated.
22 The Dog loyal, intelligent, honest, amicable, unpretentious, sociable, open-minded, idealistic, practical, and affectionate.
23 The Dog can also be lazy, cynical, cold, judgmental, pessimistic, quarrelsome, and stubborn.
24 The Pig is sociable, honest, patient, hard-working, understanding, passionate, and intelligent, but can also be self-indulgent, gullible, fatalistic, and materialistic.
25 This is a photo of me with Ai Weiwei taken in 2007 when I visited him at his studio in Beijing, China. This is one of his ceramic pieces.
26 And another
27 Ceramic Watermelons and large red bowl
28 Ceramic urn filled with broken ceramic pieces
29 Puddles
30 Marble Arms
31 Dress with Flowers
32 Table With Two Legs on the Wall
33 Coca-Cola Vase
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Martha, the commentary about the heads sounded as if you were talking about a lot of people I know.
It just goes to show that there are two sides, or versions, to everything.
Interesting.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | July 8th, 2011 at 12:14 am
Thanks again Martha,
The wisdom of the Chinese...don't we all have two sides to our personalities.
I love the ceramic watermelons!
Til tomorrow,
Sharon
Posted by: Sharon | July 8th, 2011 at 7:15 am
I really liked that the perspective of your photos corresponded to the traits described . Great eye.
Posted by: jill wilks | July 8th, 2011 at 8:36 am
Hi Martha,
I can see why you admire Ai Weiwei's work - it is fabulous. Who would even think to take on big projects such as these except a great artist! No doubt his studio is phenomenal. It was fun to read the captions which were infinitely more detailed than what is usually provided on the placemats in the Chinese restaurants. For the record, I am a Rooster such as in picture #20 but of course not like as in picture #21. Oh wait opinionated, critical – well okay but not abrasive unless someone really agitates me. Well wasn’t that fun! Thanks for showing us the exhibit because I know I won’t be going to New York anytime soon. I wish I could though. Trish
Posted by: Trish | July 8th, 2011 at 8:43 am
Hi Martha, How great it is to be able to learn something new every day and the best place to learn new things is to read your fantastic blogs, watch your TV Shows, read your many magazines, listen to Sirius Radio 110, follow Twitter, etc.! You just make my life more fun every day! This blog post is fantastic, fascinating, interesting and the photos are superb! I remember reading about Ai back in April and how great it is that he was finally released. He is an extremely talented man and it is so wonderful to hear he is working on his art again! Those 12 Animal/Zodiac Heads are absolutely stunning and it sure would be fun to see them-wish I could be there. I am assuming that they are placed with the rat for the January calander month and the pig for December. Love seeing the photo of you with Ai and would love to have that beautiful urn in photo #28! Have a great day and a fabulous weekend! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | July 8th, 2011 at 9:50 am
For the record, I am Sheep. Never been to China but have family who gifted me with gift from thier time there. Thanks for giving us this opportunity to learn more of Weiwei's work.
Posted by: ann | July 8th, 2011 at 11:05 am
Wow, it looks like everybody really enjoyed the July holiday. Here in Canada we celebrated close to July 4th. Canada Day is July 1. I know Martha that were visited the city of Toronto which is a stone's toss from NYC and you had a great time. The Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge (fondly known as Will and Kate) visited Canada over the July holidays and then the Royal Couple are off to California for a fun time I'm sure. The province of Quebec is right next store to Ontario where you visit so often to purchase some of your horses. Here's cute hats and a very cute puppy wearing a hat for Will and Kate. http://wp.me/pDQWN-oz
Posted by: may delory | July 8th, 2011 at 2:21 pm
Martha, what a wonderful exhibit the detail of the heads is awesome! Thanks for sharing this blog. FYI, I'm the year of the pig.
Posted by: KLBrown | July 8th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
I love your blog as was thrilled to see this post. you are both two of my favorite artists. It must have been amazing to visit his studio.
Posted by: joshua werber | July 8th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
This is very interesting and beautiful martha. What is your Chinese horoscope? .
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | July 10th, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Hello Martha!
Another inspirational post. I like the Chinese art and how he made the animal heads realistic art form. Just remembering the horoscope tradition. Although, there is an additional one. That makes the horoscope animals 13.
David
Posted by: David @ TeaDome | July 10th, 2011 at 8:26 pm
Your photos are always nice. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Katherine Jane White | July 13th, 2011 at 2:38 pm