99% Invisible 12 Heads from the Garden of Perfect Brightness
Feb 16, 2021
Vivian Leigh, a producer at 99% Invisible, dives into the intricate story of the twelve bronze zodiac heads and the contentious cultural heritage debate surrounding them. The discussion highlights the dramatic auction at Christie's, where these looted artifacts became symbols of national pride and ethical dilemmas. Leigh explores the complexities of repatriation, the significance of the Zodiac cycle, and how the year 2020 revealed unsettling coincidences. This engaging narrative raises crucial questions about ownership and cultural identity.
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The Yves Saint Laurent Auction
- In 2009, two bronze animal heads were auctioned from Yves Saint-Laurent's collection.
- A Chinese bidder, Cai Mingchao, won but refused to pay, protesting their looted status.
The Zodiac Fountain
- The bronze heads were part of a larger water clock fountain in the Yuanming Yuan garden.
- The fountain featured the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac.
The Looting of Yuanming Yuan
- The Yuanming Yuan was looted during the Second Opium War (1860).
- British and French soldiers took countless artifacts and burned the garden, including the zodiac heads.