AI WEIWEI WORLDWIDE

Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei may be detained incommunicado by the Chinese Communist Party, but his artworks continue to be unveiled around the world -- notably via new exhibitions in New York, London and Berlin.

* Ai Weiwei’s Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads, May 2-July 13, 2011, a modern take on the controversial looted zodiac fountain in Beijing, goes on view at the Pulitzer Fountain in front of the Plaza Hotel at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street in New York Originally made for the São Paolo Bienal, where it debuted in 2010, the suite of 12 bronze animal heads is brought to New York by Larry Warsh, the tireless promoter (and collector) of Chinese art. New York mayor Michael Bloomberg is expected to make an appearance at the sculpture’s kick-off.

* “Full Circle: Ai Weiwei and the Emperor’s Fountain,” May 2-July 15, 2011, opens at the Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, presenting approximately 20 photographs and graphic works documenting both Weiwei’s Zodiac Heads and the original fountain that was their inspiration.

* Ai Weiwei’s Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads also goes on display in the outdoor garden at Somerset House in London, May 12-June 26, 2011. The appearance in the U.K. is part of the project of Warsh’s AWAsia organization.

* "Ai Weiwei," May 13-July 16, 2011, at Lisson Gallery in London presents works by the artist from the last six years, in a show planned in early 2011 before his detention.

* "Ai Weiwei" at neugerriemschneider opens during Gallery Weekend Berlin, Apr. 29-May 1, 2011, and presents a series of installation projects in wood and porcelain -- titled Tree (2011) and Rock (2011) respectively -- that recall a traditional Chinese garden, and that were made using traditional Chinese artisanal techniques.

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