I was inspired last Friday by a photo essay called “Hollywood Lights,” created by Jade on her travel blog, Vagabond3. Her pictures were all taken with an iPhone app called Instagram that applies different filters to give the photos a cool, retro look. So, when I was at the Los Angeles County Art Museum (LACMA) this past weekend, I figured it would be a great opportunity to test out the app for myself.
Located at the museum’s North Plaza is “Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads,” a collection of sculptures by Chinese contemporary artist and dissident, Ai Weiwei. Twelve bronze animal heads representing the traditional Chinese zodiac—rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and boar—sit atop six-foot tall posts, arranged in a circular formation facing inward. His sculptures are interpretations of ones that once adorned the Zodiac Fountain in Yuanming Yuan, an imperial retreat in Beijing. The heads all have rather fierce expressions, and I thought the Instagram app made them look especially interesting. The sculptures will be on display at LACMA through February 12, 2012.
This post is my contribution for Travel Photo Thursday. Be sure to check out Budget Travelers Sandbox for more interesting shots by travel bloggers from around the world!
Michael Figueiredo is a freelance travel writer based in Los Angeles, California. When he’s not gallivanting around the world, he’s enjoying the laid-back lifestyle and perfect weather of Southern California. So far he’s visited thirty-six countries and territories on five continents. His goal is to see at least one new country every year! . Read more from this author
Great photos
Muza-chan recently posted..A Japanese Song per Day: Ritsuko Okazaki – For Fruits Basket
Twitter: @struxtravel
Thanks!
Michael recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday: Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads
Twitter: @manonthelam1
These are the creepiest, scariest, most effed-up things I have seen in a while. And Instagram ups the creep factor exponentially. Great job!
Raymond @ Man On The Lam recently posted..The Throwing of the Up
Twitter: @struxtravel
Haha! Thanks Raymond. I agree….the heads are scary!
Michael recently posted..Travel Fun Facts! Volume: 3 – Famous Product Museums & Tours
Twitter: @jimshu2000
Agree with Raymond on that. Those photos are outstanding subject wise, and the filter effects creates are very good .
Jim recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday: Ethiopia Market.
Twitter: @struxtravel
Thanks Jim!
Michael recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday: Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads
Really cool photos. I so wish I could see his exhibit .. he was offered a job in Berlin and I do hope he makes it here.
Cheryl recently posted..Getting Medieval In Rostock, Germany.
Well you certainly grabbed my attention. Memorable images I’d say. No chance of sleep now. You put the terror of g_d knows what in me, lol.
Larry Lewis recently posted..Keep Putting Yourself Out There
Twitter: @aviewtoathrill
That looks like fun. I have instagram but I’ve never used it. Very cool effects and the exhibit is unique…that’s for sure!
Renee recently posted..Starting over can lead to your rebirth
Twitter: @eurotravelista
I loved these pics! Very unusual and interesting.
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..A Bit of Home while in Europe
Twitter: @nvrguys
I’m with Raymond. These are just creepy. The snake is very Voldemort!
Caanan @ No Vacation Required recently posted..Overcome Your Fear of Cruising
Twitter: @struxtravel
Haha! I thought the same thing when I saw the snake!
Michael recently posted..Travel Fun Facts! Volume: 3 – Famous Product Museums & Tours
Twitter: @countryskipper
Great pictures! I wish they had something similar for the “regular” zodiac signs as well
Sabrina recently posted..Dinner With a View at The Grapes in London
Twitter: @struxtravel
I know! We should ask the artist do make that his next project.
Michael recently posted..La Jolla: The Jewel of San Diego
Twitter: @ladyexpat
Love these! I have this app on my Ipad, but I haven’t used it yet. I have to give it a try.
Nancie recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday – September 29, 2011- Korean Traditional Dance
Cool! I went to see these in NYC but showed up the DAY AFTER they took them down – doh! Glad I got to see your version
Erin recently posted..Photo: Haunted Insane Asylum
Twitter: @vagabond3live
Yay- I love that you tried the app. Are you addicted to it yet?! I’m slightly obsessed. I like that you choose one topic- the heads- and filtered them different ways. The collection of them tells a completely unique story besides from the exhibit. (which I’d love to check out!)
Jade recently posted..Road Trip Day Two: Crossing things off the bucket list
Twitter: @struxtravel
Thanks Jade! Yes, I’m addicted…. I try to limit myself to one photo a day. LOL
Twitter: @SophieR
Very interesting. Oddly, I’ve seen quite a bit about Ai WeiWei lately. Think he was on in London recently as well.
Sophie recently posted..St Moritz in September
Twitter: @struxtravel
I think this exhibit was in London, then New York and now L.A. I know it is heading to Sao Paolo next year too.
Michael recently posted..Greetings From… San Diego, California
Twitter: @RyukyuMike
Interesting exihibit. These zodiac symbols are uised in Japan, as well, but I’ve never seen a display like this.
Twitter: @Technosyncratic
Yikes, these are scary! I was trying to decide which was the least freaky and I just freaked myself out even more by examining the photos in greater detail.
Technosyncratic recently posted..Mdina, Malta’s Ancient “Silent City”
Twitter: @InsideJourneys
Nice zodiac heads!
InsideJourneys recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday – Bath Sandwich Board
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Such interesting sculptures — cool pics, Michael!
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..War and Peace on Battle Road
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Thanks Cathy!
Michael recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday: Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads
Twitter: @jenjenk
i must’ve missed this one – will have to go back and check it out!
jenjenk recently posted..Eating in Curacao
Twitter: @thetravelchica
Loving the Instagram app!
The Travel Chica recently posted..Goodbye Columbus: A Photo Essay
Twitter: @hikebiketravel
I remember seeing something similar in South Korea but these are much more interesting. I’ve heard that Instagram was on of the must have apps – but I don’t have an iphone yet. Great shots.
Leigh recently posted..What I’m Loving About Calgary After One Month
Twitter: @artisdiary
These are beautifully made!! Loved the dragon the most!
Have a fabulous Sunday:)
Arti recently posted..Festive colors of Ganesh Chaturthi – Ganpati Pandals, Mumbai
Twitter: @livinontheroad
Love the photos … we spent the day in a city today and found that the kids loved the little statues around the place. Interesting how many there are when you look!