This Saturday, May 30, the Seattle Art Museum is inviting all ages to the Olympic Sculpture Park to celebrate the opening of Ai Weiwei’s massive Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads installation. In addition to enjoying live music and activities, some will also be able to leave the event with a permanent piece of body art as a souvenir.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., tattoo artists from Nieu Studio will be offering free Chinese Zodiac flash tattoos on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll need to be 18 or older with a valid ID.
While waiting for ink, visitors can wander through Ai Weiwei’s striking bronze zodiac sculptures, which reinterpret the traditional animals of the Chinese Zodiac on a monumental scale. The day’s programming also includes live music, art activities, performances, and talks exploring the deeper cultural and historical meaning behind the work.
Seattle musician Shelby Natasha will perform throughout the day, blending alt-R&B, lo-fi beats, and traditional Chinese folk influences with the guzheng. At 11 a.m., Haiyan Lee (professor of Chinese and comparative literature at Stanford University) will give a special talk on the historical significance of the zodiac sculptures.
There’s also a Looking Guide introduction by muralist and illustrator Stevie Shao, plus a hands-on zodiac keychain workshop led by artist Monyee Chao. From noon to 2 p.m., artist Wei Dai brings dragon dancing to the park, followed by a public tour of the sculpture grounds.
Food and drinks from Schooby Doo Catering will also be available for purchase, with discounts for SAM members.
For the day’s full schedule of events, you can visit the SAM website.
