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Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Wondering about that loud, colorful explosion in L.A.? Here’s what it was like inside the art event.
www.timeout.com/los-angeles: If you were driving on the 110 on Sunday just before sunset, you might’ve seen a colorful cloud drifting over from Exposition Park. And if you were anywhere within a few miles of the USC-adjacent park, you most certainly heard the rippling booms. So what was actually going on here?
3 comments:
Genie Li
said...
Cai Guo-Qiang, as one of your favorite Chinese artists, certainly brings a unique and thought-provoking approach to his work. His "WE ARE" fireworks show at the Coliseum, which you admired, perfectly captures his innovative style. Cai's signature use of "daytime fireworks," incorporating organic and sustainable pigments, not only makes a powerful visual statement but also offers a more environmentally conscious approach to traditional fireworks.
It's fascinating how his inspiration aligns with the film Black Coal, Thin Ice (白日焰火), where the concept of fireworks in daylight reflects a form of rebellion, with individual sparks being drowned out by the overwhelming presence of institutional power. Cai’s powerful combination of vibrant colors, such as green, pink, and purple smoke, culminating with black fireworks and an earth-shaking finale, delivers an intensely stimulating experience. His ability to evoke both a visual and auditory response is certainly a testament to his intent and creative vision.
This seems like it was a really interesting art event. While this is my first time hearing about Cai Guo-Qiang’s art, I have seen clips of his work in the past and I find it really cool. The photos of WE ARE look beautiful and I hope those in attendance found it a fulfilling experience. The amount of work that goes into creating ephemeral (almost experientially driven) art, is really interesting. To go to the depth of developing an artificial intelligence model to drive the mechanics of the experience is a commitment to the artistic drive and vision that I really respect. On a small side-note, as someone from the West Coast, the note about the thick smoke being compared to wildfire smoke hit home - that much smoke close to home can bring a serious anxiety with it as wildfires are so prevalent. Overall, this seems like a really interesting installation, and experiencing it live would’ve been a really fascinating experience.
Science has always seemed like an amazing way to make art, from science class demonstrations of different flame colors to the fascinating view of almost anything under a microscope. The use of organic, sustainable pigments and dyes rather than traditional pyrotechnics also adds more compassion to the art effectively showing we can make these beautiful displays for the good of the public without damaging the world around us. Being someone who was always strangely fascinated by the trails of gunpowder left after a fireworks show it is really cool to be able to see this already fascinating smoky skyview being used along with color to bring forth a powerful exhibit of art. I hope to be able to see a future event of Cai Guo-Qiang’s and experience the forceful explosions of art in person.
3 comments:
Cai Guo-Qiang, as one of your favorite Chinese artists, certainly brings a unique and thought-provoking approach to his work. His "WE ARE" fireworks show at the Coliseum, which you admired, perfectly captures his innovative style. Cai's signature use of "daytime fireworks," incorporating organic and sustainable pigments, not only makes a powerful visual statement but also offers a more environmentally conscious approach to traditional fireworks.
It's fascinating how his inspiration aligns with the film Black Coal, Thin Ice (白日焰火), where the concept of fireworks in daylight reflects a form of rebellion, with individual sparks being drowned out by the overwhelming presence of institutional power. Cai’s powerful combination of vibrant colors, such as green, pink, and purple smoke, culminating with black fireworks and an earth-shaking finale, delivers an intensely stimulating experience. His ability to evoke both a visual and auditory response is certainly a testament to his intent and creative vision.
This seems like it was a really interesting art event. While this is my first time hearing about Cai Guo-Qiang’s art, I have seen clips of his work in the past and I find it really cool. The photos of WE ARE look beautiful and I hope those in attendance found it a fulfilling experience. The amount of work that goes into creating ephemeral (almost experientially driven) art, is really interesting. To go to the depth of developing an artificial intelligence model to drive the mechanics of the experience is a commitment to the artistic drive and vision that I really respect. On a small side-note, as someone from the West Coast, the note about the thick smoke being compared to wildfire smoke hit home - that much smoke close to home can bring a serious anxiety with it as wildfires are so prevalent. Overall, this seems like a really interesting installation, and experiencing it live would’ve been a really fascinating experience.
Science has always seemed like an amazing way to make art, from science class demonstrations of different flame colors to the fascinating view of almost anything under a microscope. The use of organic, sustainable pigments and dyes rather than traditional pyrotechnics also adds more compassion to the art effectively showing we can make these beautiful displays for the good of the public without damaging the world around us. Being someone who was always strangely fascinated by the trails of gunpowder left after a fireworks show it is really cool to be able to see this already fascinating smoky skyview being used along with color to bring forth a powerful exhibit of art. I hope to be able to see a future event of Cai Guo-Qiang’s and experience the forceful explosions of art in person.
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