Cai Guo-Qiang (artist #4)

Cai Guo-Qiang is such an explosive force on the art world both visually and literally. His work is so influential in so many ways that I literally look for ways to mutate his process towards mine in a way. There is so much dynamic action in all of his works that adjective like stable and calm are never even considered.

 

 While his explosive works are considered some of my favorite, it feels like I should talk about his sculpture work that really focuses on abstract body composition. His work Head On features a “stream” of dogs taking flight and hitting a glass wall hard.

 

 His work Tigers is also similar in terms of composition. Although there is one tiger, the form his body is in when hit is reminiscent of the dogs hitting the glass. It is very animated and looks like it is sailing through the air. He seems to be a master of tension, anticipation, and movement. The form contorts in such dynamic ways it really seems explosive like his fireworks and explosion work in ways.