Review: Sky Ladder
Netflix has recently brought out a documentary looking at the Art of Cai Guo-Qiang; a Chinese artist whose favoured medium is gunpowder. You may recognise the name from the momentous Beijing 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremony, but this 90-minute feature looks in depth at his muses and inspiration, as well as his origins.
What is revealed in this stunning documentary is how unique Cai's art really is, and also how humble; prioritising his collaborations with local Chinese artists to ensure he is always personally working for the right reasons. We see the wide variety of his work throughout the hour and a half; with excerpts from a number of phenomenal fireworks displays (see image below for one of the most impressive visuals), to etching-like pieces produced from carefully placed gunpowder, which he then ignites. One of the most interesting moments of the documentary is when we are invited in to one of his planning meetings; we can watch his creative brain at work, as he paints a visual picture of exactly what he wants his next work to look like, and watching this play out is a joy and a privilege.
The personal element of the feature is very moving, as we are introduced to his almost impossibly-old grandmother, who remains one of his biggest inspirations. Cai also talks us through his childhood, and through the Chinese cultural revolution, which gives a fascinating insight and context into how the country has changed in the last 50 years.
Finally, the title-project Sky Ladder, which he attempts for the fourth time during the documentary (it has failed 3 times before), is an immense, quasi-impossible project, but one which holds so much importance and meaning to the artist, that he will not let logic get in his way. The documentary comes to an incredibly poignant and emotional climax, which I will let you watch for yourself, but which truly moves the viewer.
Cai's art is quite simply breathtaking, and he produces visual pieces and productions that really stir you to the core; just watching some of the excerpts of his fireworks displays will leave you breathless.
A visual delight; enjoy.
What is revealed in this stunning documentary is how unique Cai's art really is, and also how humble; prioritising his collaborations with local Chinese artists to ensure he is always personally working for the right reasons. We see the wide variety of his work throughout the hour and a half; with excerpts from a number of phenomenal fireworks displays (see image below for one of the most impressive visuals), to etching-like pieces produced from carefully placed gunpowder, which he then ignites. One of the most interesting moments of the documentary is when we are invited in to one of his planning meetings; we can watch his creative brain at work, as he paints a visual picture of exactly what he wants his next work to look like, and watching this play out is a joy and a privilege.
The personal element of the feature is very moving, as we are introduced to his almost impossibly-old grandmother, who remains one of his biggest inspirations. Cai also talks us through his childhood, and through the Chinese cultural revolution, which gives a fascinating insight and context into how the country has changed in the last 50 years.
Finally, the title-project Sky Ladder, which he attempts for the fourth time during the documentary (it has failed 3 times before), is an immense, quasi-impossible project, but one which holds so much importance and meaning to the artist, that he will not let logic get in his way. The documentary comes to an incredibly poignant and emotional climax, which I will let you watch for yourself, but which truly moves the viewer.
Cai's art is quite simply breathtaking, and he produces visual pieces and productions that really stir you to the core; just watching some of the excerpts of his fireworks displays will leave you breathless.
A visual delight; enjoy.
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