Ai Weiwei wraps Zodiac Heads to protest migrants' condition
Posted February 05, 2016 6:00 am
PRAGUE (AP) - In a protest about the plight of migrants coming to Europe, Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei has wrapped golden thermal blankets around his bronze animal heads meant to recreate the traditional Chinese zodiac.
The series of 12 massive, open-mouthed bronze animal heads known as the Zodiac Heads are on display in front the National Gallery's Trade Fair Palace in Prague. They are part of an exhibition, officially opening late Friday, to mark the gallery's 220th anniversary.
Ai describes his display as "a gesture...in defending the dignity of the refugees."
The heads has been displayed in New York City and elsewhere, but Aid Ai says it's his first time to see it due to various travel restrictions.
Chinese activist and artist Ai Weiwei poses for a photograph standing next to his 12 sculptures installation called Zodiac placed in front of the National Gallery in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Feb. 5, 2016. Ai Weiwei has wrapped with thermal blankets his bronze animal heads meant to recreate the traditional Chinese zodiac to protest the situation of the migrants coming to Europe. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The Associated Press
A woman walks her dogs near the twelve sculptures installation called Zodiac by Chinese activist and artist Ai Weiwei in front of the National Gallery in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Feb. 5, 2016. Ai Weiwei has wrapped his bronze animal heads with thermal blankets meant to recreate the traditional Chinese zodiac to protest the situation of the migrants coming to Europe. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The Associated Press
Chinese activist and artist Ai Weiwei, center, poses for a photograph standing next to his 12 sculptures installation called Zodiac placed in front of the National Gallery in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Feb. 5, 2016. Ai Weiwei has wrapped with thermal blankets his bronze animal heads meant to recreate the traditional Chinese zodiac to protest the situation of the migrants coming to Europe. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The Associated Press
The 12 sculptures installation called Zodiac by Chinese activist and artist Ai Weiwei is placed in front of the National Gallery in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Feb. 5, 2016. Ai Weiwei has wrapped his bronze animal heads with thermal blankets meant to recreate the traditional Chinese zodiac to protest the situation of the migrants coming to Europe. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The Associated Press
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