Rabbit leaps into global awareness

With the start of the Year of the Rabbit, the animal that rules this year in Chinese tradition — believed by many as one of the gentlest and most adorable of the 12 zodiac signs — has become the star of numerous exhibitions around the world, from the United States to Portugal.

In May 2019, Christie's in New York auctioned a 104-centimeter-high stainless steel sculpture, Rabbit, for $91 million. The polished metal sculpture emulates the style of a balloon animal. The sky-high price made its creator, Jeff Koons, the world's most expensive living artist. He is just one of many artists who have created art based on the floppy-eared mammal.