christmas tree explosion by cai guo-qiang

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christmas tree explosion by cai guo-qiang
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christmas tree explosion by cai guo-qiang
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'black christmas tree' by cai guo-qiang
commissioned by arthur m. sackler gallery, smithsonian institution

 

 

renowned chinese artist cai guo-qiang has been working with gunpowder and other pyrotechnics since the 1990s.
as commentary on the upcoming holiday season, guo-qiang executed three separate explosions of a christmas tree on the north side of the freer gallery of art -
the performance entitled 'black christmas tree'. the smoky pyramid was peppered with blazing splashes as the display took place -
mimicking twinkling decorations on a traditional tree and the first ignition only lasting one-and-a-half seconds.
the smoke is specifically made of charcoal - making it environmentally-friendly - with the tree still alive post-detonation and was then replanted elsewhere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

video showing the explosive performance
video courtesy smithsonian mag

 

(12 articles)
(9 articles)
9
  • Syria, Egypt, Tunisia, Iran, mass shootings in the US…we need this like we need a hole in the head.

    Dr Design says:
  • whippy dip…… artsy fartsy
    so what
    technique is more important….. no art here

    Paedra says:
  • It’s so… …sad.

    Riccardo says:
  • that was really not that impressive…

    Verso says:
  • That was impressive

    Marcis says:
  • this is the worst thing ive ever seen… and people still applaud?? are you serious
    cmon db

    jp walker says:
  • And the purpose of this ? It was not fun and it was not funny.

    nelsondreyes architect says:
  • Nothing wrong with the the concept, but Christ, was it poorly executed.

    meija says:
  • I love the work or the artist, mostly all of it, but this?….it´s one of the more stupid things I´ve ever seen, there´s no explanation or comment that can save it.

    mariano says:

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(12 articles)

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