The Most Dangerous Man In China Is Ai Weiwei, An Artist With A Twitter Account (PHOTOS)

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is no stranger to conflicts with the Chinese government. When he was one year old his father, a poet and his mother, were sent to a prison labor camp because of opposition to the Cultural Revolution.

Chances are you've seen the artist, philosopher, publisher and instigator's work during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His building is known popularly as The Bird's Nest Stadium and it was designed by Weiwei and the Swiss architectural and design group Herzog and de Meuron.

This spring, Weiwei launched a new sculptural exhibition in Central Park called "Circle of Animals/Zodiac Head." It features Weiwei's interpretation of the Chinese Zodiac. Weiwei is familiar with New York, having left China for America in the 1980s, living and making conceptual work in the East Village. During this time he also studied at Parsons School of Design. In 1996 he returned to China after his father became ill and has been based there since then, using technology to spread his ideas via Twitter and to reach the young. 

“It is innovative and thought-provoking exhibits like Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads that keep New York one of the world’s great places to live, work and visit," said NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg in a press release. "And as we continue to showcase the best art exhibits and attractions, we maintain our status as the cultural capital of the world. We are honored that New York is host to this monumental work by Ai Weiwei, before it travels the rest of the globe."