When he finally realised it in 2015 after 20 years and three failed attempts, a majestic 500metre ladder of gold light ascended into the night sky over the huiyu island harbour, not far from cais hometown in fujian province. Pyrotechnic savant cai guoqiang unpacks the metaphysical questions at the heart of his explosive oeuvre for a new film series by fine art visual search engine art. Many a contemporary artist has seen his career go up in smoke. The sky ladder is a 1,650foot ladder of fire climbing into the skies above artist cai guo qiang s hometown. This portrait of an artists process fuses family and history to cais spectacularly expressive art of gunpowder pyrotechnics. Oct 14, 2016 the documentary centers around sky ladder, the artists magnum opus that also serves as the films title, and traces several peripatetic years in the life of cai guoqiang.
Without connecting all the dots macdonalds film skips ahead to show cai as an art world titan creating the fireworks displays he calls explosive. The art of cai guoqiang, directed by oscarwinning filmmaker kevin macdonald. The art of cai guo qiang his experience comes to the fore, constructing a film that packs into a feature length running time an impactful and engaging look at this fine subject. Oscarwinning filmmaker kevin macdonald chronicles the making of the ripacrossthesky fireworks of worldrenowned contemporary artist cai guoqiang. Oct 10, 2016 after 30 years of making art from fire, explosives artist cai guoqiangs story comes to netflix in the new film, sky ladder. The execution of this 500meter ladder was the subject of the netflix documentary sky ladder. In perhaps cais most compelling work yet, sky ladder 2015, the artist ignited a 1,650foottall ladder rigged with explosives and held aloft by a giant balloon.
Cai guoqiang tells us true story behind sky ladder. After 30 years of making art from fire, explosives artist cai guoqiangs story comes to netflix in the new film, sky ladder. Creating ambitious signature pieces on the largest imaginable scales, cais. Sky ladder is the name of cais masterwork, a halfkilometrelong, vertical lattice of fire and smoke, 21 years in the making. We and our partners use your information collected through cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience on our site. With ian buruma, guo qiang cai, wenyou cai, wenhao cai. The art of cai guoqiang on your tv or mobile device at home. Trace the rise of contemporary artist cai guoqiang from childhood in maos china to. Sky ladder, a visionary, explosive event that he pulls off in his hometown in china after 20 years of failed attempts. The first fireworks were burning pieces of bamboo, which exploded because they.
In this stopmotion short film, a bird raised by mice begins to question where she belongs and sets off on a daring journey of selfdiscovery. The art of cai guoqiang follows the continuing ascent of this chineseborn, new yorkbased artist. Jan 22, 2016 kevin macdonalds documentary sky ladder. Mar 05, 2017 connecting the earth to the rest of the universe was cai guo qiangs childhood dream. Oct 14, 2016 a new documentary film on the artist, sky ladder. The art of cai guoqiangnetflix after several attempts spanning decades and continents, artist cai guoqiang embarked once again to construct a near 1,700 foot firework ladder into the sky. The art of cai guoqiang, which received its european premier at the london film festival, showcases cais exquisite gunpowder art, which he says explores eastern philosophy and. The art of cai guoqiang mcdonalds experience comes to the fore, constructing a film that packs into a feature length running time an impactful and engaging look at this fine. The art of cai guoqiang follows the continuing ascent of this chineseborn, new yorkbased artist as he works in different mediums for different. Kevin macdonald last king of scotland begins with a brief history of fireworks, discovered by chinese alchemists searching for the elixir of immortality. Artist cai guoqiang authentically portrayed in netflixs. Along with telling his story of artistic success, macdonalds film specifically documents guoqiang as he tries.
The art of cai guoqiang 2016 which portrays the life and practice of contemporary chinese artist cai guoqiang, known for his spectacular installations and the use of gunpowder. After tackling such subjects as epic in size as joe simpson and simon yates harrowing climb of the andes in touching the void and marley, a biography of jamaicas favorite son that felt as if it carried the weight of the entire country, sky ladder. Cai guoqiang 1,650ft ladder made out of fire cnn style. Academy awardwinning filmmaker kevin macdonalds the last king of scotland. The art of cai guo qiang, which received its european premier at the london film festival, showcases cai s exquisite gunpowder art, which he says explores eastern philosophy and. For cai guoqiang, smoke, fire and explosions have made his reputation. Join cai as he discusses his book ladder to the sky with art historian and awesome extraordinaire lesley ma at the new york public library. Mar 01, 2016 netflix is in final negotiations to acquire worldwide streaming rights to the sundance documentary sky ladder, about celebrated chinese artist cai guoqiang, variety has learned.
This ladder made of fireworks is taller than any building in america. Directed by oscar winner kevin macdonald, this aweinspiring film received a. Chinese artist cai guoqiang is internationally renowned for his spectacular explosion paintings and dizzying firework displays, but for more than two decades. Cai guoqiangs stunning pyrotechnic displays light up the sky. It celebrates the art and ambition of a guoqiang, who paints images in the sky using colorful fireworks. How cai guoqiang built a 1,650foottall ladder out of. The art of cai guoqiang is the story of a unique artist at a.
The art of cai guoqiang his experience comes to the fore, constructing a film that packs into a feature length running time an impactful and engaging look at this fine subject. The art of cai guoqiang by director kevin macdonald follows the projects ultimate success and struggles throughout. Artist cai guoqiang authentically portrayed in netflixs sky. Known for his spectacular pyrotechnic displays, chinese artist cai guoqiang creates his most ambitious project yet. The art of cai guoqiang a slender but involving portrait of the chineseborn, internationally celebrated artist known for his dazzling pyrotechnic displays.
Sundance documentary sky ladder puts chinese artist cai. Trace the rise of contemporary artist cai guo qiang from childhood in maos china to global art world superstar, and join his quest to realize his lifelong obsession. The art of cai guoqiang is an indepth portrait of a contemporary creative icon with an everpresent socialpolitical consciousness, a man whose captivating works are visually imposing with implications just as grandiose. Oct 14, 2016 there is an irresistible, herzogian flavor to kevin macdonalds new documentary, sky ladder. Creating ambitious signature pieces on the largest imaginable scales, cai s. Tracking down a streaming service to buy, rent, download, or watch the kevin macdonalddirected movie via. The art of cai guo qiang, directed by oscarwinning filmmaker kevin macdonald. Trace the rise of contemporary artist cai guoqiang from childhood in maos china to global art world superstar, and join his quest to realize his lifelong obsession. The narrative of the film isnt entirely dedicated to sky ladder but it remains a. The art of cai guo qiang may appear to be modest by comparison, yet it may. An oscarwinning director tracks his most epic project yet in this breathtaking film. Film summary just before dawn on june 15, 2015, after two decades of dreaming, planning, and three failed attempts at various points around the globe, the world renowned artist cai guoqiang, famous for his site specific explosion and.
This film captures the work and life of cai guoqiang, whose frequent use of gunpowder serves as both an ancestral homage and an. Cai guoqiang is a contemporary chinese artist renowned for his innovative works which incorporate gunpowder and controlled explosions. The film takes a look at a revolutionary new contemporary artist who creates art that is. The documentary centers around sky ladder, the artists magnum opus that also serves as the films title, and traces several peripatetic years in the life of cai guoqiang. The art of cai guoqiang, which received its european premier at the london film festival, showcases cai s exquisite gunpowder art, which he says explores eastern philosophy and. The art of cai guo qiang, released on netflix october 14, goes in a slightly different direction. Wendi deng murdoch on rupert, ivanka trump and her new film.
Oct 10, 2016 cai guo qiang s stunning pyrotechnic displays light up the sky. The film was released by netflix on october 14, 2016. Sky ladder, a fireworks installation by cai guoqiang, is. The art of cai guoqiang is as fleeting and elegant as the gunpowder events mounted by cai guoqiang. Next month, netflix will be releasing a new documentary film titled sky ladder. With ian buruma, guoqiang cai, wenyou cai, wenhao cai. Oct 14, 2016 some of cai guoqiangs art exists for mere moments. The project has been canceled or delayed multiple times over two decades, and the film follows as he again tries to build this burning ladder that. When he finally realised it in 2015 after 20 years and three failed attempts, a majestic 500metre ladder of gold light ascended into the night sky over the huiyu island. Originally acquired by netflix at sundance, sky ladder. Known for his spectacular pyrotechnic displays, chinese artist cai guoqiang creates his most ambitious project yet in this breathtaking documentary. Sundance documentary sky ladder puts chinese artist cai guo.
The film takes a look at a revolutionary new contemporary artist who creates art that is beautiful, explosive, and can only be experienced in a singular moment. The film was coproduced by wendi deng as well as idg capital global chairman xiong xiaoge and premiered in the world documentary category at sundance in 2016. Today were giving away a postcard of the iconic sky ladder display, signed by cai guoqiang himself. The documentary told the story of cais rise to global success through interviews with the artist, family, friends, colleagues, and critics. Why is it important to make these violent explosions beautiful, he has asked.
Jan 22, 2016 the spectacular visual displays of the chineseborn artist cai guoqiang lend an undeniably cinematic razzledazzle to sky ladder. This project is the culmination of a 20 year dream a monumental but ephemeral work imagined by the chinese artist cai guoqiang, which director kevin macdonald and producer wendy deng document in sky ladder. Its also the title of a documentary about cais life and oeuvre, which premiered at the sundance film festival this january and will receive a wider release on netflix at the end of the month. For cai guo qiang, smoke, fire and explosions have made his reputation. Aug 12, 2015 this ladder made of fireworks is taller than any building in america. Connecting the earth to the rest of the universe was cai guo qiangs childhood dream. There is an irresistible, herzogian flavor to kevin macdonalds new documentary, sky ladder. The event, free and open to the public, will be held october 30, 2012. The art of cai guoqiang can be seen in select theaters and on netflix on october 14, 2016 and will have a european premiere next week. The sky ladder is a 1,650foot ladder of fire climbing into the skies above artist cai guoqiangs hometown. Oct 21, 2016 artist cai guoqiang photo courtesy of sky ladder. The documentary told the story of cai s rise to global success through interviews with the artist, family, friends, colleagues, and critics. The art of cai guoqiang, released on netflix october 14, goes in a slightly different direction.
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