Cai Guo‑Qiang

Ephemeral and monumental, the work of Cai Guo‑Qiang is founded upon an ancient religious and philosophical aesthetic tradition. Borrowing elements from Chinese culture, the artist also makes reference to Western art in the wake of Joseph Beuys, Yves Klein, and the Arte Povera artists. Seeking a working method that would bring him a “feeling of freedom”, Cai Guo Qiang experimented with various materials, and in 1989 he unveiled a series of drawings created with gunpowder. These drawings, entitled Projects for Extraterrestrials, are among the works published in this book, which accompanies an exhibition at the Fondation Cartier. Also included are the artist’s sketchbooks, presented here for the first time.