Exhibition view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008. © Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation New York. Photo by David Heald
Rotunda
2004
Nine cars and sequenced multichannel light tubes
Dimensions variable
Installation view of exhibition copy at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
© Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation New York. Photo by David Heald.
2004
1 minute 30 seconds
Three-channel video, transferred to DVD
Videography by John Borst; Edited by Lauren Petty
Dimensions variable depending on configuration. 700 cm
Limited DVD edition of 5
1/5 in the collection of the Seattle Art Museum, 2/5 in the collection of the National Gallery of Canada, 3/5—5/5 in the collection of the artist
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
Ramp 1
Exhibition view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
(1), (5) © Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation New York. Photo by David Heald. (2-4) Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio.
2004
First realized at MASS MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art)
Nine life-sized tiger replicas, arrows, and mountain stage prop. Tigers: papier-mâché, plaster, fiberglass, resin, and painted hide; arrows: brass, threaded bamboo shaft, and feathers; and stage prop: Styrofoam, wood, canvas, and acrylic paint
Dimensions variable
Collection of Kröller-Müller Museum
Installation view at Shawinigan Space, National Gallery of Canada, Québec, 2006.
Photo courtesy the National Gallery of Canada.
Self-Portrait: A Subjugated Soul
1985/89
Gunpowder and oil on canvas
167 x 118 cm
Collection of Leo Shih
Photo courtesy Cai Studio
Painting of One Hundred Tigers
1993
Handscroll, ink on paper mounted on silk
45.6 x 670 cm
Cai Guo-Qiang Collection
Installation view at Shawinigan Space, National Gallery of Canada, Québec, 2006.
Photo by Kazuo Ono, courtesy Cai Studio
1998
Wooden boat, canvas sail, arrows, metal, rope, Chinese flag, and electric fan
Boat: approximately 152.4 x 720 x 230 cm, arrows: approximately 62 cm each
The Museum of Modern Art, New York, Gift of Patricia Phelps de Cisneros in honor of Glenn D. Lowry
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
© Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation New York. Photo by David Heald
Ramp 2
Exhibition view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008. Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio.
Head On
2006
Deutsche Guggenheim, Berlin
99 life-sized replicas of wolves and glass wall. Wolves: gauze, resin, and hide
Dimensions variable
Commissioned by Deutsche Bank AG
Benesse Art Site Naoshima Collection
Installation view at Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, 2009.
Photo by Erika Barahona-Ede, ©FMGB Guggenheim Bilbao Museoa, 2009.
2006
9 minutes and 2 seconds, loop
Two-channel video installation
Installation dimensions variable
Edition of 5. Deutsche Bank Collection (1/5) and Collection of the Artist
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
Ramp 3
New York’s Rent Collection Courtyard, 2008. Realized at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. 72 life-sized sculptures created on site by Long Xu Li and eight guest artisan sculptors, clay, wire and wood armature, and other props and tools for sculpture, spinning night lamps, facsimile photocopies of documents and photographs related to the Rent Collection Courtyard (dated 1965). Life-sized sculptures. [Artwork Not Extant]
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, February, 2008. Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
Ramp 4
Exhibition view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008. Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio.
1994
Gunpowder on paper, mounted on wood as 12-panel folding screen
240 x 1564.8 cm overall
Setagaya Art Museum
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
1996
Gunpowder on paper
301.2 x 403 cm
Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Jorie Marshall Waterman ’96 and Gwendolyn Dunaway Waterman ’93 Fund
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
1995–96
Gunpowder, ink, and dried lingzhi mushroom on paper, 20-page folding album
Lingzhi mushroom: Approximately 16 x 10 x 9 cm irregular dimensions
Solomon. R. Guggenheim Museum
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
1989
Gunpowder and ink on paper
240 x 300 cm
Private collection
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
1990
Gunpowder and ink on paper mounted on canvas
227.4 x 182 cm
Collection of Fukuoka Asian Art Museum
Photo by Imamura Kaoru.
1985
Gunpowder, oil, and ink on canvas
155 x 150 cm
Photo courtesy Cai Studio.
1988
Gunpowder, acrylic, and paper pulp on canvas
227.3 x 181.8 cm
Photo courtesy Cai Studio.
1985–86
Gunpowder, ink, candle wax, and oil on canvas, mounted on wood
155 x 300 cm
Photo courtesy Cai Studio.
1990
Gunpowder on papier-mâché
56 x 67 x 2.5 cm
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
1985
Oil on canvas
78 x 100 cm
Photo courtesy Cai Studio.
1994
9 minutes 29 seconds, loop
Three-channel video installation with documentation of explosion event
Videography by Araki Takahisa
Explosion event realized at the Gobi desert, west of the Great Wall, Jiayuguan, Gansu Province, February 27, 1993, 7:35 p.m., 15 minutes
Dimensions variable, approximately 41 x 160 cm
Photo courtesy Cai Studio.
2008 (1996)
1 minute 47 seconds, loop
Videography by Araki Takahisa, edited by Paul Kuranko
Featured in this video compilation: Nevada Test Site, February 13; Michael Heizer’s Double Negative (1969–70), Mormon Mesa, Overton, Nevada, February 14; Looking toward Manhattan, April 20-21, 1996
Photo courtesy Cai Studio.
1989
Gunpowder on paper
212.8 x 154.3 cm
Photo courtesy Cai Studio.
Ramp 5
Exhibition view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008. © Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation New York. Photo by David Heald
1990
Gunpowder and ink on paper, mounted on wood as eight-panel folding screen
200 x 680 cm overall
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
1990
Gunpowder and ink on paper, 24-page folding album
33 x 318.5 cm opened
San Diego Museum of Art
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
1991
Gunpowder and ink on paper, mounted on wood as seven-panel folding screen
200 x 595 cm overall
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
1990
Gunpowder and ink on paper, 24-page folding album
33.5 x 320 cm opened
Private collection
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
1991
Gunpowder and ink on paper, mounted on wood as eight-panel folding screen
200 x 680 cm overall
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
1990
Gunpowder and ink on paper, 24-page folding album
33.5 x 320 cm opened
Private collection
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
1991
Gunpowder on paper, mounted on wood as seven-panel folding screen
200 x 595 cm overall
Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain
Photo by André Morin, courtesy Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain.
1989
Gunpowder and ink on paper, 24-page folding album
33.5 x 320 cm opened
Private collection
Photo courtesy Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain.
1991
Gunpowder and ink on paper, mounted on wood as seven-panel folding screen
200 x 595 cm overall
Private collection
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
1989
Gunpowder on paper, 24-page folding album
33.5 x 320 cm opened
Private collection
Photo courtesy Cai Studio.
1990
Gunpowder and ink on paper, mounted on wood as eight-panel folding screen
200 x 680 cm overall
Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
1989
Gunpowder and ink on paper, 24-page folding album
33.5 x 320 cm opened
Private collection
Photo courtesy Cai Studio.
1991
Gunpowder on paper, mounted on canvas; refrigerator containing soil and ice made out of seawater
Dimensions variable. Gunpowder drawing 200 x 600 cm
Fukuoka Asian Art Museum
Installation view at Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, 2012.
Courtesy Fukuoka Asian Art Museum.
1991
Gunpowder and ink on paper, 24-page folding album
33.5 x 320 cm opened
Private collection
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
Fetus Movement II: Project for Extraterrestrials No. 9
1990
Gunpowder and ink on paper, mounted on wood as eight-panel folding screen
200 x 680 cm overall
Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
Seismogram, Electroencephalogram, and Electrocardiogram from Fetus Movement II: Project for Extraterrestrials No. 9
1992
Silkscreen and metallic marker on paper
56 x 76 cm
Limited edition
Photo courtesy Cai Studio.
Fetus Movement II: Project for Extraterrestrials No. 9 (gunpowder bag)
1992
Recycled plastic bag originally used to hold gunpowder for the explosion event with original gunpowder label and photograph decals
35 x 23.6 cm
Uneditioned multiple
Collection of the artist
Photo courtesy Cai Studio.
Drawing for Fetus Movement II: Project for Extraterrestrials No. 9
1992
Marker pen and ink on paper
48.5 x 66 cm
Photo by Daxin Wu, courtesy Cai Studio.
1992
Ink on paper
48.5 x 66.5 cm
Photo by Daxin Wu, courtesy Cai Studio.
1992
Gunpowder, ink, and pen on paper envelope
26.5 x 42 cm
Photo courtesy Cai Studio.
Ramp 6
Exhibition view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008. © Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation New York. Photo by David Heald
2002
Gunpowder on paper
300 x 400 cm
Private collection
Photo by Chen Shizhe, courtesy Cai Studio.
2003
Gunpowder on paper
300 x 400 cm
Collection of Wijono Tanoko
Photo by Chang Guan-Hao, courtesy Eslite Gallery.
2004
Gunpowder on paper
403.8 x 304.4 cm
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Photo courtesy Cai Studio.
2004
Gunpowder on paper
400 x 600 cm
Private collection
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
2005
Gunpowder on paper, mounted on wood as 15-panel screen
240 x 1342 cm overall
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
2005
Gunpowder on paper, mounted on wood as four-panel screen
230 x 308 cm overall
Cleveland Museum of Art. Gift of Agnes Gund
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
2000
Plexiglas column and gunpowder on Pleats Please garments
approx. dimensions
Acrylic pillar: 250 x 90 cm
Issey Miyake Collection
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
2007
Gunpowder on paper, mounted on wood as eight-panel screen
230 x 620 cm overall
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio
Tower 2
An Arbitrary History: River, 2001. Installation incorporating resin and bamboo riverbed, water, yak skin and wood boats, and existing works by the artist presented as components. Dimensions variable. Collection of the artist (riverbed and boats), and various private and public collections.
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008. Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio.
1999
Wooden sculptures, arrows: bronze heads, bamboo and feather shaft
Installation dimensions variable
Sculptures: height: 80 to 130 cm ea.
Museum Ludwig Köln
Detail, installation view at S.M.A.K. Museum of Contemporary Art, Ghent, 2003.
Photo courtesy Cai Studio.
1995
Plastic, decal, water, and acupuncture needles
184.15 x 490.22 x 0.5 cm Installation dimensions variable according to configuration
Private collection
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio.
1995
Snakes, snakeskin, altered mirror, light bulb, balance scale, photograph, bag, and crane
162.6 x 81.3 cm
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio.
1995
Wooden sculpture, medicine, moxa, and statement of treatment
Dimensions variable
Sculptures: Approximately 2 m long each 33.02 x 199.39 x 27.94 cm
Installation view at the First Johannesburg Biennial, 1995.
Photo by Cai Guo-Qiang, courtesy Cai Studio.
Arms—Contradiction
1994
Lead, wood
Dimensions variable. Wood: approximately 360.7 x 4 cm. Lead: 152.4 x 99 x 6.3 cm
Installation view at Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art, 1994.
Photo courtesy Cai Studio.
1992
Documentation images of Wailing Wall–From the Engine of Four Hundred Cars (1992), printed on cloth diapers, and hanging device
Approximately 100 x 120 x 120 cm overall
Installation view as part of Arbitrary History: River at the Musée d’art contemporain de Lyon, 2001.
Photo by Blaise Adilon, courtesy Musée d’art contemporain de Lyon.
2008
Wooden boat, paper lanterns, and electric lights
Dimensions variable
Faurschou Foundation
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio.
1997
Wood model of PT-109 boat, rattan bird cage, live birds, string, and documents regarding unrealized projects for the Queens Museum of Art
Installation dimensions variable. Model length: 83.82 cm Cage: 71.12 x 68.58 cm
Private collection, Japan
Installation view at the Queens Museum of Art, New York, 1997.
Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio.
Tower 5
Cry Dragon/Cry Wolf: The Ark of Genghis Khan, 1996. 108 sheepskin bags, wooden branches, paddles, rope, three Toyota engines, and photocopies of various magazine covers and article clippings. Installation dimensions variable. Approximately: 350 x 1,986 x 261 cm.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008. Photo by Hiro Ihara, courtesy Cai Studio.
Tower 7
Reflection—A Gift from Iwaki, 2004. Excavated wooden boat and porcelain. Installation dimensions variable. Boat: 500 x 500 x 1500 cm. Private Collection
Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2008. © Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation New York. Photo by David Heald.
Reading Room
2007
Gunpowder, rice paste, and matches on paper, 48-page handmade artist book
75 x 102.8 x 2 cm opened. 75 x 51.4 x 2 cm closed
Prototype. Edition size: 9 unique books, proofs: 2 AP (1 exploded, 1 unexploded), 1 Prototype. Individually titled and signed by the artist. Edition commissioned by Ivory Press, 2008.
Collection of the artist, various private collections
Photo by Tatsumi Masatoshi, courtesy Cai Studio.
2008
Gunpowder on porcelain
66.83 x 37.31 x 5.72 cm
Edition size: 20 (1/20 to 20/20), proofs: 3 AP (AP-1 to AP-3), 1 Prototype
Individually signed and numbered by the artist
Collection of the artist, various private collections
Edition 15/20, 2008.
Photo by I-Hua Lee, courtesy Cai Studio.