Repeating Explosions : Cai Guo-Qiang
How can an exhibition be in two museums at once? We’re not talking about a digital piece or a film, but actual sculptures. If you’re an artist such as Cai Guo-Qiang, just make a copy. This is exactly what he did for his Inopportune: Stage One exhibit at the Guggenheim in New York. Well, I guess not exactly.
Interestingly enough, the work occupying the circular atrium of the Guggenheim is marketed and presented as if it is the actual exhibit showcased at the Seattle Art Museum. However, if we really read the credits of the work, which are sparse and seemingly covert, we will find the words “exhibition copy”. If the piece is not the actual work, why disguise it as such?
One major variation is in the actual exhibition design. This is started from the interior layout of the Seattle Art Museum and how it is much different than that of the Guggenheim. Whereas both share the high ceilings which allow for the exhibits placement, one covers a vast horizontal plane and the other circles a narrower vertical space. Although there is this main difference, it is easy to see why the copy can pass as the original.
Understandably the concept behind Inopportune was kept constant, thus allowing for the same title. Both include nine identical white cars with light tubes of various lengths and colors emitted that are suspended in air. The frozen steps of the explosion occur in both and are shown in a continuous loop. This loop is also featured in the accompanying film, entitled Illusion which was also created by Cai.
Inopportune actually started at the MASS MoCA in 2004, traveled to National Gallery of Canada in 2006, and then found a semi-permanent home in the SAM in 2007. Now it is currently housed in both the SAM and in the Guggenheim with his current exhibition “Cai Guo-Qiang: I Want to Believe” from February 22nd through May 28th . The piece showcases a car exploding that can be seen tumbling through nine frames of time with hundreds of lights bursting from the vehicle.
Currently Cai is a member of a team of artists for the Beijing Olympics in which his work will be seen in the opening and closing ceremonies. His mid-career retrospective is on exhibit at MoMA in New York and is scheduled to travel to the National Art Museum in China and the Guggenheim Bilbao.
Category: Contemporary Art, Reviews
About the Author
Morgan Greenseth was born and raised in the Midwest and from early on, she had the taste for adventure and creativity in her blood. At the age of 17 she ventured out west to San Diego, California. Once there, she learned how to surf and obtained her Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from the Art Institute. She was later hired to work at Ferguson Pape Baldwin Architects where she worked on projects such as the La Jolla Country Day School Library. San Diego, however, couldn’t hold her down. A trip to Italy secured her decision to study abroad and she soon moved to Milan, Italy. There she obtained her Masters in Interior and Living Design from Domus Academy and collaborated with students from all over the world. She had work featured in the Made in Italy Museum exposition in Rome, Fuori Salone del Mobile 2007 and also won a competition for the Paris Photo 2007 Focus on Italy design. After a quick visit with family in Texas, she found herself in Seattle, Washington where she currently resides. Morgan now works for Dynamik Space and is enjoying life.View Author Profile
I can’t wait to go see this exhibit! Great find Morgan.
Love it!