Explosive Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang recently successfully unleashed his Sky Ladder over Huiyu Island in Quanzhou to celebrate his grandmother’s 100th birthday. This fourth and final attempt is a culmination of 21 years of hard work to realize a vision he had when he was a child. Assisted by a helium balloon and ladder covered with pyrotechnics, the stunning display rose 500 meters into the air and lasted two and a half minutes.
He further states – “Behind Sky Ladder lies a clear childhood dream of mine. Despite all life’s twists and turns, I have always been determined to realize it. My earlier proposals were either more abstract or ceremonial. Sky Ladder today is tender, and touches my heart deeply: it carries affection for my hometown, my relatives and my friends. In contrast to my other attempts, which set the ignition time at dusk, this time the ladder rose toward the morning sun, carrying hope. For me, this not only means a return but also the start of a new journey.”
Photo credit: Lin Ye (via Booooooom & Colossal).
Discuss Cai Guo-Qiang here.
