Bowls of Pearls, appears to consist of two larger-than-life porcelain bowls filled with rice. The reference to Chinese culture is apparent: porcelain originated in China, and rice is a staple of the Chinese diet. The “grains of rice,” however, are actually pearls. By showcasing items synonymous with Chinese culture in unexpected ways, Ai invites viewers to consider such matters as the relative importance of the collective and the individual:  Is each pearl less valuable because there are so many of them?