LW: The “Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads” was installed at the historic Pulitzer Fountain in NYC from May 4 to July 15, 2011. For the duration of the installation I had the chance to visit the heads many times, and it was always a thrill to see the exhibit in all its majesty. If I didn’t know anything about Ai Weiwei or his art, or the significance of this particular work as it relates to Chinese culture, I would still be awed by the zodiac animals and their installation at the Pulitzer Fountain. It was the first time in the history of the fountain (the Pulitzer Fountain is over one hundred years old) that public sculpture was allowed within the fountain.
ZodiacHeads_PulitzerFountainNYC_May2011
《十二生肖／兽首》，纽约普利策喷泉，2011年5月。
CM: Can you describe your favorite time of day for viewing the “Zodiac Heads” at the fountain?
LW: My favorite time of the day to visit the “Zodiac Heads” was always in the early morning, when the city was just getting going. That early time of the day allowed for a more austere vision of the installation. At the Somerset House in London, however, I loved seeing the installation all lit up in the evening. Very impressive.
CM: Have you visited the Summer Palace?
LW: Yes, I visited the Summer Palace during my “research” trips to Beijing to get a better sense of the history and the scale of the Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace) and the original zodiac heads.
CM: How has the meaning of Ai Weiwei’s “Zodiac Heads” changed since his incarceration and recent release?
LW: I feel the Zodiac Heads talk for Ai and create a public presence for the artist. Especially since he cannot travel right now, the exhibitions currently in place are so important as his voice. As I said, the “Zodiac Heads” were years in the making. It was always Ai Weiwei’s goal to have these works exhibited around the world. In some respect I believe his recent incarceration and release is unrelated to his work as an artist. Of course everything Ai Weiwei does is connected to his politics; however, the “Zodiac Heads” stand on their own as a testimony to Ai Weiwei’s unique creative voice. I would argue that Ai Weiwei’s “Zodiac Heads” have taken on a more significant meaning since his recent troubles with the Chinese authorities. His “Zodiac Heads” are in essence “free” to inspire people all across the globe.
ZodiacHeads_PulitzerFountainNYC_May2011
《十二生肖／兽首》，纽约普利策喷泉，2011年5月。
CM: As a visitor to the Zodiac Heads, whether at the Pulitzer Fountain in Central Park or anywhere else, does it matter if you are Chinese or not?
LW: No, absolutely not. Ai Weiwei created the “Zodiac Heads” for everyone, especially children, to enjoy. People from all walks of life love animals and enjoy large outdoor sculpture. Although the original twelve zodiac animal heads are related to Chinese history, they are also just twelve magnificent and delightful animals heads, liberated of any deeper meaning.
ZodiacHeads_SomersetHouseLondon_May2011
《十二生肖／兽首》，伦敦萨默塞特宫，2011年5月。
CM: What do you want to see change, and do you think it will?
ZodiacHeads_PulitzerFountainNYC_May2011
《十二生肖／兽首》，纽约普利策喷泉，2011年5月。
LW: I want to see everyone achieve his goals, succeed in his own way, and enjoy life in a harmonious world that allows for freedom of expression. I realize those are idealistic notions but we must still strive for our dreams and believe that humans are capable of realizing peace and prosperity.
