ART

TWENTY YEARS FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Cai Guo-Qiang's "Sky Ladder" is a different kind of art

By Bokun Yan

Sky Ladder unlit

When the “Sky Ladder” project culminated in a successful launch on June 15th, 2015, Cai Guo-Qiang, his mother, and close relatives, alongside folks from the fishing island of Fujian HuiYu, witnessed the successful launch of a dream that was conceived over 20 years ago. An hour before dawn, a massive white balloon dragged the gunpowder-covered ladder upward, rising all the way from the muddy marsh land of HuiYu island to the sky. The tiny, archaic fishing village, an unimpressive place that few would pay attention to, glittered as the 1650-foot (500m) "Sky Ladder" lit by orange colored firework sticks hanging from its structure, ignited the night.

The question we could ask ourselves is why an artist would pursue a dream for 20 years, failing three times and then conduct the fourth and most promising attempt in secrecy. The moment "Sky Ladder" lit the sky above Fujian HuiYu Island in 2015 was the realization of Guo-Qiang’s philosophy of art. Guo-Qiang explained to interviewers in 2015, “Art is my ‘spatial-temporal tunnel’ to the universe. I expect conversation, process, and further contact.”

Sky Ladder starting to burn

What’s fascinating is at this crucial point in his career, attention from the global press and people around the world were the least of his interests. The launch was planned for 4 AM standard China time and Guo-Qiang’s was worried that his grandmother was going to fall asleep and miss the show.

Guo-Qiang is undeniably a legend in contemporary art. He grew up in China’s post-Mao period, and aspired to compete with successful western artists such as Picasso. It’s admirable that Guo-Qiang’s growth process involved early errors, like his initial use of toy rockets. Nevertheless, he was always moving towards a vision of a different type of art, one that wouldn’t be controlled by commercial interests or popularity.

Guo-Qiang moved to Japan and eventually to the United States, which elevated his standing in the global art market. Some of his famous pieces include the "Ninth Wave" exhibition in 2014. He filled a fishing boat full of 99 fabricated animals, including tigers, pandas, camels and apes, clinging to the worn ship, looking weather‐beaten and sullen, their heads bowed in fatigue. The installation drew visual influence from depictions of weary survivors from a shipwreck just barely holding onto to a mast. Guo-Qiang might want to transcend commercialization and audiences, but he also has a strong sense of social conscience.

Lost at sea

His 2003 "Light Cycle" explosion project for New York City illuminated the sky over Central Park using a 1000-foot-high halo made of light and fire; his 2013 "One Night Stand" in Paris was an all-night ceremony firework celebration; and his 2011 "Black Ceremony" in Doha, Qatar was a progression of ten different scenes exploring themes of death and homecoming.

However, unlike these previous projects Guo-Qiang’s concept of "Sky Ladder" is informed by the desire to create a connection between earth and the heavens. Even as a child, Guo-Qiang was fascinated by the success of American astronauts and what it meant to travel through space. The big difference is that Guo-Qiang was not looking to technology to get him there, but art.

Sky Ladder really burning now

While he failed in 1994, 2001, and 2012, his obsession of connecting heaven and earth with a half a kilometer ladder remained. Following the launch, Guo-Qiang’s technical director Tatsumi Masatoshi revealed to journalists that his boss enjoys and thrives on failure and difficulty. Masatoshi claims that Guo-Qiang sees no success or failure in art, only process.

Based on eye-witness accounts the launching of "Sky Ladder" was more than a long journey to success, but also a celebration of family and origins. It is inevitable that while Guo-Qiang moved out of Quanzhou to pursue art in different countries, the connections with the place remained by virtue of his upbringing and memories. And "Sky Ladder" is very much about family life. The decision to not invite the media or viewers indicates that "Sky Ladder" was a gift to the people who had been with him since the beginning of his career.

Sky Ladder on fire!

The key point is that it took over 20 years after the inception of the idea to complete. During that period, the artist’s career progressed in significant ways and his family’s situation also changed. In 1994, Guo-Qiang’s grandmother and father were still energetic. But by 2015, as Guo-Qiang’s family members grew old, the affection and the need to show his appreciation increased.

There is nothing else like "Sky Ladder." It is beautiful and astonishing, but it was only ever able to exist because Guo-Qiang held fast to the one-of-a-kind dream that so many artists have but ultimately can’t pursue. Not every artist has the opportunity to free themselves from the need for media and financial gain to celebrate family, but those that do can often make something spectacular. And they are worth celebrating for it.

©Bokun Yan and the CCA Arts Review