Paul A
As "Sky Ladder: The Art of Cai Guo-Qiang" (2016 release from the UK; 79 min.) opens, we are briefly introduced to Cai, as he reflects on his roots in China, where gunpowder (a/k/a "fire medicine") was invented over 1000 years ago. We then go to "Bath, England, 1994" where Cai tries to mount the sky ladder project, but fails... At this point we are 10 minutes into the documentary.
Couple of comments: this is the latest from Oscar-winning Scottish director Kevin Macdonald. Here he seems to have been given unfettered access to Chinese performance artist Cai Guo-Qiang, best known for his sophisticated fireworks displays (2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony, anyone?) but as it turns out Cai is so much more than that. The documentary works great and the results are exquisite, with stunning visuals to boot. The harder questions are not avoided (such as when Cai does another fireworks show for the opening of APEC 2014 in Beijing, knowing fully well that his work is used for political propaganda purposes). And as for the sky ladder project: it reminds me in scope and ambition of the works by the recently departed Christo, who never saw a building he couldn't wrap. Bottom line: this is one amazing and thoroughly enjoyable documentary.
I missed "Sky Ladder" when it originally came out in 2016. Neflix just recommended it to me based on my viewing habits. Thanks Netflix! So glad I caught this. If you are in the mood for an entertaining documentary about the life and times of Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang, and containing some out of this world footage, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/23/23
Full Review
Jerry W
Although most people saw Cai Guo-Qiang's fireworks display for the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, they probably weren't aware of the artist (I wasn't). This documentary will not only change that, but will offer an opportunity to see some of his spectacularly mesmerizing work. The objective of the doc is the chronicle his attempts to create the titular structure, a 1,650 foot ladder of fire. Along the way, there are displays of his other "explosive work," as well as the paintings he creates using gun powder. Director Kevin Macdonald tells his art career with wonderful detail, but his personal life is mostly glanced over. Still, just to see his magical creations is sufficient to make this doc a visually thrilling experience.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
05/15/21
Full Review
Audience Member
I think perhaps the critics are confusing the actual art of Cai Guo-qiang with this documentary. His art is impressive. This documentary is very slow paced and uninteresting at times.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
01/17/23
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Audience Member
The impressive visual aspects of pyrotechnics lend itself well to a documentary and this one doesn't disappoint. However the movie largely passes over many personal and emotional details of the artist and instead focuses on his creative output which is admittedly extraordinary. So we're left with a high level and complimentary visual resume of a quite amazing artist only to wonder what untold stories lie beneath.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/19/17
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Audience Member
Revolutionary and unique. A moving story about a brilliant artist.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/22/23
Full Review
Audience Member
The art of Cai Guo-qiang is like a moment in time. A drop of creativity in the pool of conventionalism. Kevin MacDonald's Sky Ladder explores the artistic process behind his work, the origins of his illustrious career, and the shackles of patriotic 'collaboration'.
From humble beginnings in Zhangou, the historic origin of fireworks, Guo-qiang's father, Cai Ruiqin, was a highly respected calligrapher. A craft allowing for little personal expression, he found solace in books, regularly spending entire weekly salaries acquiring them to the detriment of his family. 'It's my fortune' he told his son, 'and one day that will be yours, too'.
Sadly, that wasn't to be, as a drastic new ideology was sweeping through China. Chairman Mao's Cultural Revolution cleansed society of so-called bourgeois elements bleaching huge periods in history, paralysing the country politically and economically. A dangerous time for classical artists and musicians, Ruiqin was forced to burn his extensive collection of books and in turn watched his son's future reduced to ash.
And it is from those very ashes that a phoenix rises, one symbolising the flourishing of art and culture through the 1980s, the true Cultural Revolution. A time for experimentation, to push the limits of what is possible. For Guo-qiang, this was gunpowder. To essentially destroy a classical portrait through controlled detonation and call it art, to call that moment art, was simply unheard of, yet his work established a niche in the contemporary art community launching him on a trajectory to international fame.
Little by little, a shift towards a capitalistic government is becoming evident. One that takes art in it's purist form, strips away the passion and replaces it with fanfare and melodrama. There is no greater example in Guo-qiang's life than his 2001 APEC Conference firework show. It was conceived as a cacophony of sight and sound, coupled with suggestive themes, his trademark. With potentially the most symbolic scene following, a meeting with government officials, we watch as an increasingly desperate Guo-qiang clings to his ideas with every aspect deemed against agenda. 'The government is here to help you' he's told, 'you just have to figure out something creative with all these chains on you'. Prevented from abandoning the project from latent patriotism, the resulting soulless display is a tragedy, both for himself and, through MacDonald's candid filmmaking, the viewer.
When an artists achieves high popularity, the likes of Damien Hirst for example, they become a brand, a large cog in the capitalist machine - often losing sight of their original cause. This issue is presented matter-of-factly, illustrating MacDonald's disdain for the current art environment. To avoid this fate, Guo-qiang works with the unknown. Those who create for passion and self-fulfilment, the foundations of greatness. His long awaited dream, to connected Earth to the Universe through a 'Sky Ladder', has wrestled with the requirement of investment. A costly venture that has suffered multiple cancellations over two decades (due to issues with weather, and an unfortunate increase in security following 9/11 terror attacks), he plans one final attempt. This time not for the eyes of the world however, but for family and friends, especially dedicated to his almost 100 year old grandmother. The affair is a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by Chinese virtuosi, with work completed in secret to avoid interference from the government. After more delays due to bad weather, Guo-qiang seizes his opportunity and what follows is simply joyous, a euphoric spectacle as dream becomes reality. His masterpiece, realised.
Sky Ladder is akin to peering through the keyhole. A brief glimpse into an ordinary man with truly extraordinary ambitions. Driven not by money, but by an incessant need to provoke discussion, instil a sense of wonder and most of all, to make his family proud. An event almost lost to the ages, MacDonald's documentary is an astonishing extension of Guo-qiang's art, a profound experience and an honour to watch.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/15/23
Full Review
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