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The art of Ai Weiwei

A collection of popular works of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, who was arrested by Chinese police on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

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"Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads," the first major public sculpture installation by contemporary Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, formally opened on May 4 at the historic Pulitzer Fountain in New York.

Stan Honda / AFP/Getty

The installation includes a dozen monumental bronze heads depicting the animals of the Chinese zodiac. Weiwei was not there for the opening. He has been missing since early last April when he was taken away by Chinese authorities.

The installation includes a dozen monumental bronze heads depicting the animals of the Chinese zodiac. Weiwei was not there for the opening. He has been missing since early last April when he was taken away by Chinese authorities.

Stan Honda / AFP/Getty

An animal head from 'Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads.'

An animal head from "Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads."

Stan Honda / AFP/Getty

The bronze heads — 10 feet tall on their pedestals, and 800 pounds — are oversize versions of the collection of bronze zodiac-animal heads looted by French and British troops from Beijing’s Old Summer Palace in 1860, during the Second Opium War.

The bronze heads — 10 feet tall on their pedestals, and 800 pounds — are oversize versions of the collection of bronze zodiac-animal heads looted by French and British troops from Beijing’s Old Summer Palace in 1860, during the Second Opium War.

Stan Honda / AFP/Getty

'Mei Le,' 2007.

"Mei Le," 2007.

/ Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Urs Meile, Beijing-Lucerne

'Forever,' 2003.

"Forever," 2003.

/ Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Urs Meile, Beijing-Lucerne

'Boomerang,' 2006, an installation at Queensland Art Gallery in Australia.

"Boomerang," 2006, an installation at Queensland Art Gallery in Australia.

/ Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Urs Meile, Beijing-Lucerne

'Kippe,' 2006. The work was created with iron wood from dismantled temples of the Qing Dynasty.

"Kippe," 2006. The work was created with iron wood from dismantled temples of the Qing Dynasty.

/ Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Urs Meile, Beijing-Lucerne

'Coca Cola,' 2010. The pottery is from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD).

"Coca Cola," 2010. The pottery is from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD).

/ Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Urs Meile, Beijing-Lucerne

Untitled (shoe and book), 1986. Shoe and book 43 x 24 x 16 centimeters. Private collection

Untitled (shoe and book), 1986. Shoe and book 43 x 24 x 16 centimeters. Private collection

/ Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Urs Meile, Beijing-Lucerne

'Table with Two Legs on the Wall,' 2009. The table is from Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

"Table with Two Legs on the Wall," 2009. The table is from Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

/ Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Urs Meile, Beijing-Lucerne

'Grapes,' 2008. The work is built from 17 stools from the Quing Dymasty (1644-1911).

"Grapes," 2008. The work is built from 17 stools from the Quing Dymasty (1644-1911).

/ Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Urs Meile, Beijing-Lucerne

'Flowers,' 2007.

"Flowers," 2007.

/ Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Urs Meile, Beijing-Lucerne

'Flowers,' 2007.

"Flowers," 2007.

/ Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Urs Meile, Beijing-Lucerne

'Pillar,' 2006. The installation at Austria's Kunsthaus Graz includes 16 porcelain pillars.

"Pillar," 2006. The installation at Austria's Kunsthaus Graz includes 16 porcelain pillars.

/ Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Urs Meile, Beijing-Lucerne

'Oil Spills,' 2006.

"Oil Spills," 2006.

/ Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Urs Meile, Beijing-Lucerne

Ai Weiwei: 'Template,' 2007. The work is made of 1,001 wooden doors and windows from destroyed Ming and Qing Dynasty houses (1368-1911).

Ai Weiwei: "Template," 2007. The work is made of 1,001 wooden doors and windows from destroyed Ming and Qing Dynasty houses (1368-1911).

/ Courtesy of the artist; Leister Foundation, Switzerland; Erlenmeyer Stiftung, Switzerland and Galerie Urs

Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei speaks during an interview at his studio in Beijing on March 1, 2010.

Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei speaks during an interview at his studio in Beijing on March 1, 2010.

GRACE LIANG / REUTERS

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Detention Ai Weiwei overshadows opening of sculpture exhibit

Detention Ai Weiwei overshadows opening of sculpture exhibit

NEW YORK — New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg was present, in the rain on Grand Army Plaza, for the opening of the sculpture installation “Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads,” by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. Bill T. Jones, the choreographer, was there, as well as artist Julian Schnabel and Agnes Gund, philanthropist and former president of the Museum of Modern Art.

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