Conceptually, Circle of Animals evokes a complicated history of cultural exchange, war, looting, and commerce. In 1860 Yuanming Yuan was destroyed by invading English and French armies during the Second Opium War. Many of its treasures, including its zodiac heads, were looted and sold. In the late 1980s, five of these heads were auctioned at Sotheby’s, and have since been repatriated to China. Two heads appeared in a controversial 2009 auction at Christie’s. The whereabouts of the remaining five heads remains unknown. Ai Weiwei’s Circle of Animals, a re-creation of these heads in bronze, calls to mind ongoing debates surrounding Chinese nationalism and repatriation.
Remember the slinky gown wore by Marilyn Monroe during the performance of her sexy rendition of the birthday song for President Kennedy? It just sold at Julian's Auction for $4.81M making it the most expensive dress sold at auction.