The bronze heads to be seen at Vienna's Belvedere Palace until a few weeks ago represented the 12 heads of the 18th cent. zodiac circle of animals at Yuanmingyuan - the Palace of Calm Seas - in Beijing. Twelve figures adorned the water-clock fountain in front of the palace until 1860 when the site was destroyed by British and French troops during the Second Opium War and the heads were looted. Seven of the heads have since found their way back to China. Four recovered heads were in possession of a world famous fashion designer in Paris according to information available at the Belvedere. Five heads are still missing. May they return safely home. The artist is Ai Weiwei.
Playful and yet the hidden meaning is bound to be there as it is Weiwei Looting and war, nothing new there then.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed their playfulness. But as you say: "looting and war". They are arranged so that the 7 recovered heads are at one end of the lake and the 5 heads still unaccounted for are at the opposite end. I an't help wondering who has them now? In the water if you look closely you can see some of the lifejackets of rescued refugees. They look like water lilies.
DeleteThe first zodiac head looks so "Lord of the Flies"
ReplyDeleteI saw Gustav Klimt’s masterpieces at the Belvedere Palace.
Greetings Maria x
The Belvedere, the palace and grounds of Prince Eugene are always worth a visit. You can stroll round the grounds and admire the wonderful fountains and the palace for free.
DeleteI think one or two Klimt's might be in American ownership now.
DeleteThey are a bit creepy for my taste.
ReplyDeleteNot everybody's cup of tea.
Delete