Culture
19:38, 22-Sep-2017
'Sky ladder' – Documenting the art life of Cai Guoqiang
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"Sky Ladder: The Art of Cai Guoqiang" is now showing in Chinese mainland theaters. Directed by Oscar-winning Kevin MacDonald, the semi-biographical documentary records how the 59-year-old artist fulfilled his dream project, and traces Cai's art journey which started in the coastal city of Quanzhou, in southeast China's Fujian Province.
The Sky Ladder is Cai Guoqiang's way to connect the earth to the universe. A two-and-a-half minute blaze of glory made his childhood dream come true.
The 500-meter ladder, made of rope and gunpowder, was suspended from a giant hot-air balloon over a fishing village not far from his hometown Quanzhou. The fiery event took place at one dawn in June 2015.
Every previous attempt for over two decades had failed
The Sky Ladder was also a birthday present for Cai's 100-year-old grandmother, who had supported his artistic endeavors. She passed away shortly after its success.
The emotion behind the project resonated with the audience at the pre-screening in Beijing.
"Sky Ladder is his dream project, and also for his grandma. I shared this emotion a lot since I have a similar feeling. The art form is splendid and deeply touched me,” Zhang Yu, one of the audience member said.
Photo courtesy of Cai Guoqiang Studio
Photo courtesy of Cai Guoqiang Studio
“Cai Guoqiang said: 'art is the simplest impulse, unadorned'. This supported him in finishing Sky Ladder. His simplicity and persistence led to his success,“ another spectator Chen Yingnan noted.
The New York-based artist, best known for pyrotechnic artworks, is one of the most celebrated Chinese artists in the West.
Photo courtesy of Cai Guoqiang Studio
Photo courtesy of Cai Guoqiang Studio
In 2008, Cai Guoqiang gained worldwide fame for designing the fireworks display for the Beijing Olympics, when a total of 29 "giant footprints" lit up the sky at the opening ceremony.
Photo courtesy of Cai Guoqiang Studio
Photo courtesy of Cai Guoqiang Studio
The documentary also records the early days of the legendary man.
In 1986, Cai left Shanghai for Japan where he soon became popular as an artist. He says his works just coincided with the 'self-reflection' period there.
Cai's traditional performance elements included gunpowder, feng shui, and Chinese herbal medicine, and were mingled with new meanings.
Cai Guoqiang thinks Sky Ladder marks a return to his origins, and a chance to climb higher.