Pinch me please,
for I am dreaming.
My legs, you see
have taken their leave.
I can’t escape,
my arms are stuck.
To this I say,
what bad luck!
Those beside me
look the same.
Tell me friend,
is this a game?
Circle of Animals by Ai Weiwei on display in the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court of Somerset House, London, June 2011, c.b.w.
– – –
Special Note: When I snapped this photograph I had no idea these sculptures were created by Ai Weiwei, nor did I discover that fact until I was in the process of creating this post. These sculptures were utterly captivating and I remember spending a long time walking among them. I can’t even begin to say how amazing it is to know that I was drawn to his work without even knowing it was his.
In choosing this week’s photograph, I was looking to write something a little playful. Imagine my surprise when I learned Weiwei was behind this installation, considering I wrote about him barely a week ago, (see Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry). Apparently, my muse is still quite taken with him!
To read more about Ai Weiwei’s “Circle of Animals,” follow these links:
Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads (official site)
Somerset House – Circle of Animals
– – –
c.b.w. 2012
C.B. Wentworth 
When I first read the poem, only the windows in the building showed up on my screen. I thought it was a jail! Then, when I first looked at the heads, the pig looked rather grotesque to me. Took me a minute to study what the sculptures were. Yes, weird, that you liked it without knowing it was one of your favorite artists. Glad you do-me, not so much.
LikeLike
They are a bit odd in many respects, but I think what I found so intriguing was having to ask the question “why?” while walking through them. There are elements of ancient Chinese and modern aesthetics, but then the curve ball of emphasizing the head. I loved the curiosity they inspired. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m sorry but those sculptures completely creep me out.
LikeLike
They are strange, but they did make me think which is what makes art so interesting. Then, after reading his motivation behind the piece, it makes perfect sense why he created them as he did. 🙂
LikeLike
isn’t it just lovely when excitement, inspiration, and surprise combine?
LikeLike
Yes! Everything about this post turned out to be incredibly unexpected! 🙂
LikeLike
That’s way cool – the uncertainty of wonder.
LikeLike
It’s my favorite thing to write about. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
Ok, my comment/question is how did you get the people to show up in color and the rest in sepia?
LikeLike
I did a color boost, and strengthened color saturation before flipping on the sepia, (which I then faded a bit). 🙂
LikeLike
Is that one of those apple analog apps or something?
LikeLike
The only program I use is iPhoto because its free and came with my computer. 😉
LikeLike
What a fun poem, and a wonderful image! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
LikeLike
I thought it might be fun to do something a little different . . . and weird. 😉
LikeLike
Fantastic! So beautiful and haunting. Your poem is perfect.
LikeLike
Thanks! 🙂
Oooo, haunting is a good word for these sculptures.
LikeLike
Great picture and lovely poem honey 🙂
Xx
LikeLike
Thank you! 🙂
LikeLike
Your poem perfectly captures the essence of those courtyard figures. Fascinating how you were drawn to his work before you knew anything about him. That’s the sign of an excellent artist. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks! 🙂
His work has an incredibly unique aesthetic that always gets me thinking. Between figuring out what he’s trying to say and what it means to me, I could stare at his pieces for hours!
LikeLike
You could not have created a better poem to go with the photo of these sculptures! Both are wonderful.
LikeLike
Thanks! 🙂 It was so much fun to write something so whimsical. Even more fun, was finding a connection to an artist I admire so much.
LikeLike
Great poem!! And the sculptures are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LikeLike
Aren’t they gorgeous!? 🙂
LikeLike
For some reason this reminds me of Alice in Wonderland, must be the oversized heads. Your poem is so appropriate and fits so well. As I have been reading more about this artist and his movie, I am fascinated by the courage he has to pursue his art under such dangerous conditions. I can’t imagine being so brave. I like what you’ve done with the coloring of the photo also, how artistic! Thanks for more international events to open my mind further.
LikeLike
I’m so happy to hear you find Weiwei intriguing. 🙂
I had fun playing with this photograph both with the accompanying lines and the coloring. Sometimes I think digital photography is my new grown-up coloring book. 🙂
LikeLike