"This whole process of making drawings is very much like lovemaking. From the very beginning, of laying down the paper, it’s like laying down the sheets on the bed. First you lay down the sheets, and you have this idea of what you might want to do today, in form or in action—what you would like to accomplish. Then you bring in the materials, you lay them out, apply pressure here, but not too much pressure here. You know what kind of effect it might have. How much attention you should give to a certain area, how much material you should use, and how you should play off another balance are all things that you have to consider throughout." - Cai Guo Quiang
Cai Guo-Qiang is a Chinese multi medium artist specializing in the contemporary movement. Being a child of a traditional Chinese family, Qiang grew up with traditional cultural influences, as well as Western literature thanks to his father owning a book store. His influences were very much of the Cultural Revolution set into motion from 1967-1976 by Chairman Mao, a revolution set to instill Communist ideals as well as preserve and secure traditional elements of Chinese society. The fireworks and explosions during this time had a great influence of Qiang's art, in the form of him using explosions and gunpowder to recall as well as memorialize his memories. Later on in his life, he would take up Western art forms such as oil paintings, as well as develop an interest in the theater, using many elements as in spacial awareness and teamwork in his works. His work with fireworks and explosions are significant because they are not only masterpieces that have a temporary life span(without photographs) but they are done out of respect to Chinese culture. His works have often been misinterpreted as rebellious dark creations of pessimism from an angry voice, but they are just the opposite; works that celebrate the liberation that life has to offer while respecting the influences that they are birthed from.
"Self Portrait" 1985-89
This self portrait was made with gunpowder; a staple in Qiang's work. This was made during the end of his time in China before relocating to Japan. He did not show or complete this work in China because he felt that it would be considered to be unpatriotic, therefore getting him into serious trouble. Seeing what happened at the protest of Tienanmen Square, as well as feeling alienated and not being there with his people during difficult and dark times, he made this to express those emotions. This work expresses just that.
To get a closer look of a rich sample of his Extraterrestrials project, as seen in the photo above, click this link. https://youtu.be/G5O7VbNmfWE
Inopportune: Stage One
Part of his more recent art instillation endeavors, Qiang has toured extensively with an almost stop action installation of cars seeming being flung with colorful lights beaming out of them. The interpretation is for the beholder, but for me, it recalls to a quote I read about Qiang (who was in love with the Post-Punk music movement) that it inspired him with the idea that in the West, anyone can do anything. I think its really the natural progressions of his works, and it shows. From going to 2 dimensional art works, to progressing to 3rd dimensional works that are rich in color, I believe that this is the natural progression of him evolving as an artist.
Unapologetic Illumination
https://www.guggenheim.org/arts-curriculum/topic/early-works
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cai_Guo-Qiang
https://upperplayground.com/blogs/news-upperplayground/16539340-projects-for-extraterrestrials-explosive-art-by-the-legendary-cai-guo-qiang
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