Ai Weiwei’s zodiac animals circle the courtyard of London’s Somerset House

Today, as part of an international tour, an installation of 12 bronze animal heads by the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is unveiled at Somerset House, London (until 26 June). While Ai's whereabouts remain unknown, and his freedom and safety a growing concern following his detainment by the Chinese authorities back in April, the international arts community are going to lengths to showcase his work and petition for his release.

Ai's outdoor installation Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads recreates the traditional Chinese zodiac sculptures which once adorned the fountain of Yuanming Yuan, an imperial retreat in Beijing. The original heads were ransacked during the Second Opium War in 1860 and are the topic of rising repatriation demands. As symbolic cultural objects, their reincarnation in contemporary art extends Ai's exploration of the value assigned to original cultural objects, and references the focus on looting and repatriation that accompanies a rising mood of nationalism – made all the more resonant by the artist’s disappearance.

Follow the links to the Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads website for more information about the world tour.