Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads by Ai Weiwei
by typecat
Even before he was detained, actually I prefer the term kidnapped, by the Chinese government Ai Weiwei was one of my favourite artists. I use that term in the broadest sense, not just to refer to his Fine Art, because he was also a writer amongst other things. A truly creative man. Add this to my intense dislike of the Chinese government and you can imagine how outraged I am by his kidnapping. Oh, I’m sorry I mean detention.
I will try not to litter this post with anti Chinese government sentiment but it is my blog and I’ll say what I like. And they disgust me.
Other disgusting governments are available. The UK’s government is vile. See also America and Syria and Libya and… you are right, we could be here all day listing terrible governments. I am also able to separate the government as a monolithic identity and set of ideas and doctrine from the Chinese people. I do not have any problem with them. Unless they are two particular Chinese people on the Guardian message boards. But I suspect they are actually the Chinese government. Anyway, Chinese people I salute you. Unless you are in the Government, of course, then we will have to talk.
What? Oh, I do apologise you are right. This is a post about Ai Weiwei’s Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads. How terrible it would be if Ai Weiwei became so closely wound with his kidnapping detention that it was the only way we could talk about him and his work.
Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads is formed of twelve large bronze heads on sticks (I tried vainly to find a better word there I promise) standing in a semi circle around the fountains in the courtyard at Somerset House. It’s the first ever contemporary art sculpture to go on display in the courtyard of Somerset House. And it’s also Weiwei’s first major outdoor public sculpture installation by the artist in London, so firsts all round.
There are 12 bronze animal heads, one for each of the Chinese zodiac signs. They are re-creations of the traditional Chinese zodiac sculptures which were displayed at the fountain of Yuanming Yuan, an imperial retreat in Beijing. Do you see what he did there? I like this aspect of Ai Weiwei’s work. I think this refers to the Chinese government willingness to causally dispose of Chinese cultural heritage in order to grow the brand of China. I cannot fathom why they would want to forget where they have come from as it can only serve to weaken their identity in the future, but then again I can’t imagine why they would torture thousands of Tibetans for no particular reason but there you go. It takes all sorts, doesn’t it?
I was born in the year of the Rabbit and I was pleased that Ai had made it look a little bit like me.
Don’t believe me? Well, here are some quite odd photographs that I took. The light was very unusual and my poor little knackered camera has a bit of a struggle in the light. All light. Not much light, too much light, funny light. Problems. Anyway, see the rabbit likeness for yourself.
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Here is what Weiwei himself had to say earlier this year about this exhibition:
I am fascinated by making public art. ‘Public’ does not just refer to the museum public; it’s for people passing by and using communal spaces. I think the public deserve the best. In the past, only a pope or an emperor had access to the artworks they commissioned. I want my work to be accessible to everyone. As Yuanming Yuan was being built, Somerset House was being constructed and for me this means that the Courtyard is the perfect setting for Circle of Animals.
Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads is on the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court until 26 June. Admission is free and you can go between 7.30 and really, really late. Like after bedtime. Ekon Esun is chairing and curating the programme of talks so I’ll be giving them a wide berth. Which is a good example of me cutting off my nose to spite his face.
I haven’t been to the Lisson Gallery exhibition yet, hopefully I’ll get there very soon.
