At Sculpture Unveiling, Appeals for Artist’s Release

They rose from the majesty of one of New York’s great fountains: 12 bronze statues, each depicting an animal of the Chinese zodiac, staring fiercely at passers-by at the edge of Central Park. The mayor, the curator and artists from around the world were there for the exhibit’s opening on Wednesday. The creator was not. Ai Weiwei, a prominent Chinese contemporary artist and social activist, had been scheduled to attend the celebration. But on April 3, he was detained by Chinese authorities for his outspoken criticism of the Communist Party, and he has not been seen publicly since.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, presiding over the ceremony, said Mr. Ai’s detainment was “very disturbing” and called for his release.

“This is a message from America to the whole world that we are the place where people can come and express themselves,” Mr. Bloomberg said. “China would be well served to listen to our message and to copy us.”

Mr. Bloomberg, no stranger to criticism as the elected leader of a fractious city, said “freedom is our competitive advantage” and called free expression “the most valuable of all New York City’s riches.”

“The more a city embraces diversity and tolerates dissent, the stronger it becomes,” he added. “And there is no place on earth that gives freer rein to more voices and viewpoints than New York City.”

A spokesman for the Chinese consulate in New York did not return a request for comment. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has accused Mr. Ai of economic crimes.

About 100 people joined Mr. Bloomberg for the unveiling of Mr. Ai’s “Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads,” and a dozen artists and cultural leaders took turns reading from Mr. Ai’s writings and interviews.

Alexandra Munroe, a curator at the Guggenheim Museum, read one quotation: “Without freedom of speech, there is no modern world, just a barbaric one.”

Mr. Bloomberg said he was not concerned that his criticism might hurt the business of his media company, Bloomberg L.P., in China. “If you start setting your beliefs on what’s important to your pocket, you’re not going to be a very happy person, nor is society going to benefit,” he said.

Mr. Ai, 53, lived in New York for a decade, from 1983 to 1993, and attended Parsons the New School for Design.

He is well known for his role in the design of the stadium used during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, known as the “Bird’s Nest.” But his demands for democracy and his defense of political prisoners have irked the Chinese government. In January, one of Mr. Ai’s studios, on the outskirts of Shanghai, was demolished, and in April, he was detained in Beijing as he prepared to board a plane for Hong Kong.

Mr. Ai’s zodiac work will be on display through July 15 at the Pulitzer Fountain at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue, by the Plaza Hotel.

In an interview with The New York Times in March, Mr. Ai said he liked the unconventional location of the piece. “I like that people can notice it and at the same time, not to bother them too much,” he said.

The sculptures will also be displayed in Houston, London, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh and Washington.
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