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Directions: Cai Guo-Qiang: Traveler

October 30, 2004 - April 24, 2005

Museum: Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

Location: Third Floor, Directions Gallery

Unlucky Year: Unrealized Projects from 2003-2004 is a series of drawings created by igniting gunpowder on paper, highlighting Cai's interest in using a seemingly destructive material as a tool for creation. In addition, the explosive events were intended to make viewers aware of the possibility of creating for and communicating with unseen and otherworldly presences -- an intergalactic dialogue. This installation is paired with another exhibition Perspectives -- Cai Guo-Qiang: Traveler: Reflection, focusing on intercultural exchange, on view in the Sackler Gallery. Cai Guo-Qiang is known for artwork that incorporates traditional elements of Chinese culture -- often related to healing, traveling, and communicating -- into contemporary contexts.

Free brochure and activity guide

See related article in November 2004 Smithsonian magazine, pp. 112-116.

Video (11 min.) of artist's explosion events featured daily in lobby.

Pronunciation Key: Cai = sigh