Born:  December 8, 1957, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China
Education: Department of Stage Design, Shanghai Drama Institute, Shanghai, China, 1981–1985
Residence: Tokyo, Japan, 1986–1995
New York, USA, 1995–present
Grants and Awards:
Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, Paris, France, 1993
Benesse Prize in conjunction with TransCulture, 46th Venice Biennale, Venice, Italy, 1995
Japan Cultural Design Prize, Tokyo, Japan, 1995
P.S.1 The Institute for Contemporary Art: National and International Studio Program, Asian Cultural Council Grant, New York, USA, 1995–1996
Oribe Award, Gifu, Japan, 1997
Golden Lion, 48th Venice Biennale, Venice, Italy, 1999
CalArts/Alpert Award in the Arts, Valencia, USA, 2001
Best Monographic Museum Show (for Cai Guo-Qiang: Inopportune) and Best Installation or Single Work in a Museum (for Inopportune: Stage One), International Association of Art Critics, United States Section, New England Chapter, 2005
Hiroshima Art Prize, Hiroshima City Culture Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan, 2007
 
Now a core member of the creative team and Director of Visual and Special Effects for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
 
 
SELECTED EXHIBITION HISTORY
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
1987
Office of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan, Tokyo, Cai Guo-Qiang’s Painting, May 18–June 16.
Kigoma, Tokyo, Cai Guo-Qiang: Gunpowder Art, Aug. 9–21.
1989
Kigoma, Tokyo, Explosions and Space Holes: Cai Guo-Qiang, Mar. 5–17.
1990
Osaka Contemporary Art Center, Cai Guo-Qiang: Works 1988/89, Feb. 5–10.
1991
P3 art and environment, Tokyo, Primeval Fireball: The Project for Projects, Feb. 26–Apr. 20. Exh. cat.
1992
IBM Kawasaki Gallery, Wailing Wall: From the Engine of Four Hundred Cars, Oct. 15–26.
1993
Naoshima Contemporary Art Museum, (now Benesse House), Naoshima, Cai Guo-Qiang, Apr.–July.
P3 art and environment, Tokyo, Long Mai: The Dragon Meridian, Jan. 22–Mar. 20.
1994
Gallery APA, Nagoya, Cai Guo-Qiang: Calendar of Life, Jan. 7–30. Exh. cat.
Iwaki City Art Museum, Fukushima, Cai Guo-Qiang: From the Pan-Pacific, Mar. 6–31. Exh. cat.
Tokyo Gallery, Cai Guo-Qiang: Concerning Flame, May 9–28.
Setagaya Art Museum, Tokyo, Chaos: Cai Guo-Qiang, Sept. 20–Nov. 3. Exh. cat.
1997
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebaek, Denmark, Cai Guo-Qiang: Flying Dragon in the Heavens, Mar. 8–Apr. 27. Exh. cat.
Queens Museum of Art, New York, Cai Guo-Qiang: Cultural Melting Bath: Projects for the 20th Century, Aug. 1–Oct. 26. Exh. cat.
1998
Eslite Gallery (Cherng Piin), Taipei, Day Dreaming: Cai Guo-Qiang, May 30–June 21. Exh. cat.
1999
Kunsthalle Wien, Vienna, Cai Guo-Qiang: I Am the Y2K Bug, Nov. 4, 1999–Feb. 27, 2000. Exh. cat.
2000
Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, Paris, Cai Guo-Qiang, Apr. 5–May 28. Exh. cat.
2001
Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver, and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Vancouver, Cai Guo-Qiang: Performing Chinese Ink Painting, July 28–Sept. 23.
Charles H. Scott Gallery, Vancouver, Cai Guo-Qiang: Impression Oil Drawings, Aug. 3–Sept. 23.
Musée d’Art Contemporain de Lyon, Cai Guo-Qiang: An Arbitrary History, Oct. 30, 2001–Jan. 6, 2002. Exh. cat. Traveled to S.M.A.K. (Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst), Ghent, Mar. 29–June 1, 2003.
2002
Shanghai Art Museum, Cai Guo-Qiang, Feb. 1–Mar. 1. Exh. cat.
Hakone Open-Air Museum, Cai Guo-Qiang’s CHADO Pavilion: Homage to Tenshin Okakura, May 25–Sept, 23. Exh. cat.
Galleria Civica di Arte Contemporanea, Trento, Cai Guo-Qiang: Ethereal Flowers, Sept. 6–Nov. 24. Exh. cat.
2003
Berkeley Art Museum, University of California, Cai Guo-Qiang: For Your Pleasure Matrix 204, Apr. 22–Aug. 3.
Asia Society Museum, New York, Cai Guo-Qiang: An Explosion Event: Light Cycle Over Central Park, Sept. 9–Dec. 14. Exh. cat.
2004
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., Cai Guo-Qiang: Traveler, Oct. 30, 2004–Apr. 24, 2005.
Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, North Adams, Cai Guo-Qiang: Inopportune, Dec. 12, 2004–Oct. 30, 2005. Exh. cat.
2005
Institut Valencià d’Art Modern, Cai Guo-Qiang: On Black Fireworks, May 20–June 12. Exh. cat.
Zacheta National Gallery of Art, Warsaw, Cai Guo-Qiang: Paradise, June 17–Aug. 28. Exh. cat.
Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh, Cai Guo-Qiang: Life Beneath the Shadow, July 30–Sept. 25. Exh. cat.
2006
SITE Santa Fe (organized by the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, North Adams), Cai Guo-Qiang: Inopportune, Jan. 21–Mar. 26.
San Gimignano Mountain and Galleria Continua, San Gimignano, Cai Guo-Qiang: Stage, Mar. 25–Apr. 29.
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Cai Guo-Qiang on the Roof: Transparent Monument, Apr. 25–Oct. 29. Exh. cat.
Shawinigan Space, National Gallery of Canada, Quebec (organized in collaboration with the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, North Adams), Cai Guo-Qiang: Long Scroll, June 10–Oct. 1. Exh. cat.
Deutsche Guggenheim, Berlin (organized by the Deutsche Bank Collection), Cai Guo-Qiang: Head On, Aug. 26–Oct. 15. Exh. cat.
Eslite Gallery (Cherng Piin), Taipei, Captured Wind Arrested Shadow: Cai Guo-Qiang and Lin Hwaimin’s Wind Shadow, Nov. 22–Dec. 10. Exh. cat.
2007
Seattle Art Museum, Cai Guo-Qiang: Inopportune: Stage One, semi-permanent installation, opened May 5, 2007.<br>
Shiseido Gallery, Tokyo, Light Passage: Cai Guo-Qiang & Shiseido, June 23–Aug. 12. Exh. cat.
2008
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Cai Guo-Qiang: I Want to Believe, Feb. 22–May 28. Exh. cat.
Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art, The 7th Hiroshima Prize: Cai Guo-Qiang, Oct. 25, 2008–Jan. 12, 2009. Exh. cat.
 
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
1985
Quanzhou Art Gallery, Cai Guo-Qiang and Hong Hong Wu: Paintings, 1985.
Fuzhou City Museum, The Shanghai and Fujian Youth Modern Art Joint Exhibition, June 15–25.
1987
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, 55th Memorial Exhibition of Dokuritsu Art Association, 1987.
1989
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, 16th International Modern Art AU Show, 1989.
Fussa Minami Park and Kumagawa Shrine, Fussa, Tokyo, 89 Tama River Fussa Outdoor Art Exhibition, Nov. 3–19. Exh. cat.
1990
Pourrières, Aix-en-Provence, Chine demain pour hier, July 7–31. Exh. cat.
Fukuoka City Hall and Nagahama Port, Fukuoka, Museum City Tenjin ’90: Circulation of Sensibility: Visual City, Functioning Art, Sept. 17–Nov. 4. Exh. cat.
Ushimado, Okayama, The 7th Japan Ushimado International Art Festival, Nov. 2–4. Exh. cat.
1991
Tokyo Gallery, Asian Wave: China, Mar. 11–23.
Mitsubishi-jisho Artium and Kashii former train yard, Fukuoka (organized by Museum City Project, Fukuoka), Exceptional Passage: Chinese Avant-Garde Artists Exhibition, Aug. 29–Sept. 30. Exh. cat.
1992
Various sites, Hannover-Münden and Kassel, Encountering the Others: The Kassel International Art Exhibition, June. Exh. cat.
Museum of Modern Art, Saitama, Looking for Tree of Life: A Journey to Asian Contemporary Art, June 20–Aug. 2. Exh. cat.
Transformator–Verein zur Förderung aktueller Kunst, St. Veit/Glan, Das Kunstwerk im Zeitalter seiner Telekommunizierbarkeit, June 26. Exh. cat.
1993
Museum of Modern Art Oxford (now Modern Art Oxford), Silent Energy, June 27–Aug. 29. Exh. cat.
Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, Shiga Prefecture, Outdoor Workshop ’93, Oct. 21–31. Exh. cat.
1994
Shiseido Gallery, Tokyo, Promenade in Asia, Jan. 26–Feb. 12. Exh. cat.
Kyoto City Hall (organized by the city of Kyoto), Making New Kyoto ’94, Mar. 13–27.
Art Tower Mito Contemporary Art Center, Mito Annual ’94: Open System, Apr. 2–May 29. Exh. cat.
Bath Festival Exhibition, Well-Spring, May 19–June 26. Exh. cat.
Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art, Creativity in Asian Art Now, Sept. 18–Nov. 6. Exh. cat.
Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, Heart of Darkness, Dec. 18, 1994–Mar. 27, 1995. Exh. cat.
1995
Electric Workshop, Johannesburg, The Ever-Changing, Drifting Heat: The First Johannesburg Biennale,
Feb. 28–Apr. 30. Exh. cat.
Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo, Art in Japan Today 1985–1995, Mar. 19–May 21. Exh. cat.
Palazzo Giustinian Lolin, TransCulture, 46th Venice Biennale, June 11–Sept. 4. Exh. cat.
Watari Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo, Ripple Across the Water, Sept. 2–Oct. 1. Exh. cat.
Ho-Am Museum, Seoul, Contemplation, Sept. 26–Oct. 20. Exh. cat.
1996
P.S.1 The Institute for Contemporary Art. Off-site: 80 Lafayette Street, New York, In the Ruins of the Twentieth Century. Twentieth Annual International Studio Artists Exhibition OFF-SITE, May 3–31. Exh. cat.
Nagoya City Art Museum, Between Earth and the Heavens: Aspects of Contemporary Japanese Art II, June 15–Aug. 25. Exh. cat. Traveled to Rufino Tamayo Art Museum, Mexico City,
Dec. 10, 1996–Mar. 9, 1997.
Queensland Art Gallery, South Brisbane, The Second Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art,
Sept. 27, 1996–Jan. 19, 1997. Exh. cat.
Pavilhão Ciccillo Matarazzo, Parque do Ibirapuera, São Paulo, 23rd Bienal Internacional de São Paulo: Universalis, Oct. 6–Dec. 8. Exh. cat.
Museum of Modern Art, Saitama, Origins and Myths of Fire: New Art from Japan, China and Korea,
Oct. 12–Dec. 8. Exh. cat.
Museum Van Hedendaagse Kunst Gent (now S.M.A.K. [Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst]),
de Rode Poort (The Red Gate), Nov. 9, 1996–Feb. 2, 1997. Exh. cat.
Guggenheim Museum SoHo, New York, The Hugo Boss Prize 1996, Nov. 20, 1996–Jan. 19, 1997. Exh. cat.
1997
Shiseido Gallery, Tokyo, Promenade in Asia II, Jan. 17–Feb. 8. Exh. cat.
Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, Performance Anxiety, Apr. 17–July 6. Exh. cat. Traveled to Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Sept. 13–Nov. 30; SITE Santa Fe, Mar. 1–May 25, 1998.
Giardini di Castelo, Arsenale, Venice, Future, Past, Present, 47th Venice Biennale, June 15–Nov. 9. Exh. cat.
Various sites, Istanbul, 5th International Istanbul Biennial: On Life, Beauty, Translation, and Other Difficulties, Oct. 5–Nov. 9. Exh. cat.
Secession, Exhibition Hall for Contemporary Art, Vienna, Cities on the Move, Nov. 26, 1997–Jan. 18, 1998. Exh. cat. Traveled to Museum of Contemporary Art, Bordeaux, June 4–30, 1998; P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, New York, Oct. 18, 1998–Jan. 3, 1999; Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma–Finnish National Gallery, Helsinki, June 11–Sept. 1, 1999; Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebaek, Denmark, Jan. 29–Apr. 21, 1999; Hayward Gallery, London, May 13–June 27, 1999.
1998
Moderna Museet, Stockholm, Wounds: Between Democracy and Redemption in Contemporary Art, Feb. 14–Apr. 19. Exh. cat.
Center for Curatorial Studies Art Museum, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, Where Heaven and Earth Meet, May 10–24.
Académie de France à Rome, Villa Médicis, Rome, La Ville, le Jardin, la Mémoire: La Ville, May 29–Aug. 30.
Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Site of Desire: 1998 Taipei Biennial, June 13–Sept. 6. Exh. cat.
Deste Foundation Centre for Contemporary Art, Athens, Global Vision: New Art from the 90’s Part II, July 7–Sept. 26.
National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Crossings, Aug. 7–Nov. 1. Exh. cat.
P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, New York and Asia Society, New York (organized by Asia Society and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art), Inside Out: New Chinese Art, Sept. 15, 1998–Jan. 3, 1999. Exh. cat. Traveled to San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, Feb. 26–June 1, 1999; Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Monterrery, July 9–Oct. 19, 1999; Tacoma Art Museum and Henry Art Gallery, Seattle, Nov. 11, 1999–Mar. 6, 2000; National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, June 3–Aug. 13, 2000.
Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, Paris, Issey Miyake Making Things, Oct. 13, 1998–Jan. 17, 1999. Traveled to ACE Gallery, New York, Nov. 13, 1999–Feb. 29, 2000; Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo, Apr. 29–Aug. 20, 2000. Exh. cat.
Melbourne International Festival of the Arts, Remanence, Oct. 15–Nov. 1. Exh. cat.
1999
S.M.A.K. (Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst), Ghent, De Opening, May 9–Dec. 5. Exh. cat.
Académie de France à Rome, Villa Médicis, Rome, La Ville, le Jardin, la Mémoire: La Memoire, May 28–Aug. 29. Exh. cat.
Centraal Museum, Utrecht, Panorama 2000: Art in Utrecht Seen from the Dom Tower, June 5–Oct. 3. Exh. cat.
Arsenale, Venice, Aperto Over All, 48th Venice Biennale, June 13–Nov. 7. Exh. cat.
SITE Santa Fe, Looking for a Place: The Third International Biennial, July 10–Dec. 31. Exh. cat.
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, International Currents in Contemporary Art, July 24, 1999–Jan. 9, 2000.
Queensland Art Gallery, South Brisbane, Beyond the Future: The Third Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Sept. 9, 1999–Jan. 26, 2000. Exh. cat.
Museum Ludwig Köln, Cologne, Kunst-Welten im Dialog (Art-Worlds in Dialogue),
Nov. 5, 1999–Mar. 19, 2000. Exh. cat.
Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Hiriya in the Museum: Artists’ and Architects’ Proposals for Rehabilitation of the Site, Nov. 17, 1999–Mar. 20, 2000. Exh. cat.
Kunstmuseum Bonn, Zeitwenden, Dec. 4, 1999–June 4, 2000. Exh. cat. Traveled to Museum Moderner Kunst Stiftung Ludwig Wein, Vienna, July 5, 1999–Oct. 1, 2000.
2000
Taiwan Museum of Art, Taichung, Gratitude, one day event and exhibition, Jan. 15, 2000.
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, Outbound: Passages from the 90s, Mar. 4–May 7. Exh. cat.
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, 2000 Biennial Exhibition, Mar. 23–June 4. Exh. cat.
Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Pioneers of Chinese Contemporary Art, Mar. 30–June 27.
S.M.A.K. (Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst), Ghent, Over the Edges, Apr. 1–June 30. Exh. cat.
Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sidney, Biennale of Sydney 2000, May 26–July 30. Exh. cat.
Koldo Mitxelena Kulturunea Erakustaret, Donostia-San Sebastian, Erresistentziak / Resistencias (Acts of Resistance), June 15–Sept. 15. Exh. cat.
Art Basel, Messe Basel, Art Unlimited, Art 31 Basel, June 21–26. Exh. cat.
Académie de France à Rome, Villa Médicis, Rome, La Ville, le Jardin, la Memoire: Le Jardin, June 22–Sept. 24. Exh. cat.
Various sites between Nordhorn, Germany, and Zwolle, the Netherlands (organized by Städtische Galerie Nordhorn), Kunstwegen, public art project, official opening June 24, 2000. Exh. cat.
Musée d’Art Contemporain de Lyon, Sharing Exoticisms. 5th Lyon Biennale d’art contemporain, June 27–Sept. 17. Exh. cat.
Museu de Arte Moderna da Bahia, Salvador da Bahia, The Quiet in the Land: Everyday Life, Contemporary Art and Project Axé, July 7–Aug. 6. Exh. cat.
Tsunan Mountain Park, Niigata Prefecture, Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial 2000, July 20–Sept. 10. Exh. cat.
De Oude Warandepark, Tilburg (organized by Fundament Foundation, Tilburg), Lustwarande/Pleasure-Garden, Aug. 19–Oct. 15.
Seoul Metropolitan Museum of Art, Media City Seoul 2000, Sept. 2–Oct. 31, 2000. Exh. cat.
Museum of Modern Art, New York, Open Ends: MoMA 2000, Sept. 28, 2000–Jan. 30, 2001. Exh. cat.
Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai Biennale 2000: Shanghai Spirit, Nov. 6, 2000–Jan. 6, 2001. Exh. cat.
2001
Palazzo delle Papesse, Centro Arte Contemporanea, Siena (coproduced by Centro Culturale Candiani, Venice. Traveling Exhibition organized with Independent Curators International, New York), The Gift: Generous Offerings, Threatening Hospitality, June 2–Sept. 23. Exh. cat. Traveled to Centro Culturale Candiani, Venice,
Oct. 14, 2001–Jan. 6, 2002; Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Arizona, Feb. 7–May 5, 2002; Bronx Museum of the Arts, New York, Nov. 27, 2002–Mar. 2, 2003; Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, Apr. 4–June 22, 2003; Art Gallery of Hamilton, Ontario, Aug. 9–Oct. 18, 2003.
Sonsbeek Park, Arnhem, Sonsbeek 9: LocusFocus, June 3–Sept. 23. Exh. cat.
Castello di Rivoli Museo d’Arte Contemporanea, Turin, Form Follows Fiction, Oct. 15, 2001–Jan. 27, 2002. Exh. cat.
Giardini di Castello, Arsenale, Venice, Plateau of Humankind, 49th Venice Biennale, June 10–Nov. 4. Exh. cat.
Various sites in Yokohama, Yokohama 2001, International Triennale of Contemporary Art: Mega Wave: Towards a New Synthesis, Sept. 2–Nov. 11. Exh. cat.
Associazione Arte Continua, San Gimignano, Exhibition of the Projects for Arte all’Arte 6, Sept. 15, 2001–Jan. 6, 2002, Part of Arte all’Arte 6.
Various sites in Tuscany (organized by Associazione Arte Continua), Arte all’Arte 6,
Sept. 15, 2001–Jan. 6, 2002. Exh. cat.
2002
Museum der bildende Künste Leipzig, Painting without Painting, Jan. 30–Apr. 7. Exh. cat.
Apexart, New York, Art that Heals, Mar. 9–Apr. 6.
Various sites in Limerick (organized by Limerick City Gallery of Art), EV+A 2002: Heroes + Holies, Mar. 16–June 9. Exh. cat.
Fattoria di Celle, Santomato, Pistoia, Tuscany, (organized by Sistema Metropolitano d’Arte Contemporanea, Tuscany), Magnete: artisti stranieri in Toscana 1945–2000 (Magnet: Foreign Artists in Tuscany 1945–2000), June 2–Sept. 30.
Gwangju Art Museum, South Korea, Red Continent: Chinese Contemporary Art Exhibition, June 3–29. Exh. cat.
Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, Kobe, The Power of Art: The 2nd Inaugural Show of the Prefectural Museum of Art, July 13–Aug. 25.
Obihiro Racetrack and Nishimaki Park, Obihiro, Hokkaido (organized by P3 art and environment, Tokyo), Tokachi International Contemporary Art Exhibition: Demeter, July 13–Sept. 23. Exh. cat.
Royal Academy of Arts, London, The Galleries Show, Sept. 15–Oct. 12.
Cité Multimédia dans le Vieux-Montréal, 3e Biennale de Montréal, Sept. 26–Nov. 3.
Guangdong Museum of Art, Guangzhou, The First Guangzhou Triennial. Reinterpretation: A Decade of Experimental Chinese Art, Nov. 18, 2002–Jan. 19, 2003.
Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, Paris, Ce Qui Arrive (Unknown Quantity), Nov. 29, 2002–Mar. 30, 2003. Exh. cat.
2003
Tate Modern and Tate Britain, London, Tate & Egg Live 2003, Jan.–Sept.
Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, Pulse, Art, Healing, and Transformation, May 14–Aug. 31. Exh. cat.
Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati, Somewhere Better Than This Place, June 7–Nov. 9.
Centre national d’art et de culture Georges Pompidou, Paris, Alors, la Chine?, June 23–24. Exh. cat.
Tsunan Mountain Park, Niigata Prefecture, Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial 2003, July 20–Sept. 7. Exh. cat.
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, The Heroic Century: The Museum of Modern Art’s Masterpieces, 200 Paintings and Sculptures, Sept. 21, 2003–Jan. 4, 2004. Exh. cat.
2004
Rovaniemi, Lapland, The Snow Show: Harvested Ice, Feb. 12–Mar. 31. Exh. cat.
Museum of Contemporary Art of Antwerp, (coorganized by the Guy & Myriam Ullens Foundation), All Under Heaven, Mar. 20–May 30. Exh. cat.
Pavilhão Ciccillo Matarazzo, Parque do Ibirapuera, São Paulo, 26th Bienal de São Paulo: Free Territory, Sept. 25–Dec. 19.
San Diego Museum of Art, Past in Reverse: Contemporary Art of East Asia, Nov. 6, 2004–Mar. 6, 2005.
2005
Rose Art Museum, Brandeis University, Waltham, Mass., DreamingNow, Jan. 27–Apr. 24. Exh. cat.
Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, Universal Experience: Art, Life, and the Tourist’s Eye, Feb. 12–June 5. Exh. cat.
Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei, Trading Place: Contemporary Art Museum, Apr. 2–May 22. Exh. cat.
MARTa Herford, Herford, Germany, (my private) Heroes, May 7–Aug. 21. Exh. cat.
Palais de Tokyo, Paris, Translation, June 23–Sept. 18.
Millennium Monument Art Museum, Beijing, The Wall: Reshaping Contemporary Chinese Art, July 22–Aug. 22. Traveled to University at Buffalo Art Galleries, Oct. 21, 2005–Jan. 29, 2006.
Various sites in Tuscany (organized by Associazione Arte Continua), Arte all’Arte 10, Sept. 1–Oct. 2. Exh. cat.
Storefront for Art and Architecture, New York, Can Buildings Curate, Sept. 13–Oct. 29.
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., The Kennedy Center Festival of China, Oct. 1–31.
Sert Gallery, Carpenter Center for the Arts, and Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, Quantum Grids, Oct. 15, 2005–Apr. 16, 2006.
2006
Min Tai Yuan Museum, Quanzhou, Min Tai Yuan Museum Collection (Inaugural Exhibition), open since May 14, 2006.
Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean, Luxembourg, Opening Exhibition: Eldorado, July 1–Nov. 20. Exh. cat.
Tsunan Mountain Park, Niigata Prefecture, Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial 2006, July 31–Aug. 9.
Museum of Modern Art, New York, Out of Time: A Contemporary View, Aug. 30, 2006–Apr. 9, 2007.
China Institute Gallery, New York, Shu: Reinventing Books in Contemporary Chinese Art, Sept. 28, 2006–Feb. 24, 2007. Exh. cat. Traveled to Seattle Asian Art Museum, Aug. 9–Dec. 2, 2007.
Suzhou Museum, Searching for Dreams in the Canals, Oct. 6, 2006–Mar. 30, 2007.
2007
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Journeys: Mapping the Earth and Mind in Chinese Art, Feb. 10–Aug. 26.
Seattle Asian Art Museum, Of Nature and Friendship: Modern Chinese Paintings from the Khoan and Michael Sullivan Collection. Feb. 15–July 15.
Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh, 6 Billion Perps Held Hostage! Artists Address Global Warming, Mar. 11–June 15.
Palazzo Fortuny, Venice, Artempo: Where Time Becomes Art, June 9–Oct. 7. Exh. cat.
2008
Barbican Gallery, London, Martian Museum of Terrestrial Art, Mar. 6–May 8.
Victoria and Albert Museum, London, Blood on Paper: The Art of the Book, Apr. 15–June 29.
Villa Manin Centro d’Arte Contemporanea, Cordoipo, God & Goods: Spirituality and Mass Confusion, Apr. 20–Sept. 28.
Various sites, New Orleans, Prospect.1 New Orleans, Nov. 1, 2008–Jan. 18, 2009.
 
EXPLOSION EVENTS AND OTHER EPHEMERAL PROJECTS
1989
Fussa Minami Park and Kumagawa Shrine, Tokyo, Human Abode: Project for Extraterrestrials No.1, realized Nov. 11, commissioned by 89 Tama River Fussa Outdoor Art Exhibition (see group exhibitions).
1990
Pourrières, Aix-en-Provence, 45.5 Meteorite Craters Made by Humans on Their 45.5 Hundred Million Year Old Planet: Project for Extraterrestrials No. 3, realized July 7, commissioned by Les Domaines de l’art for the exhibition Chine demain pour hier (see group exhibitions).
Nagahama Port, Fukuoka, I Am an Extraterrestrial: Project for Meeting with Tenjin (Heavenly Gods): Project for Extraterrestrials No. 4, realized Oct. 6, commissioned by Museum City Tenjin, Fukuoka, for the exhibition Museum City Tenjin ’90: Circulation of Sensibility: Visual City, Functioning Art (see group exhibitions).
Palace Plaza, Olive Mountain, Ushimado, Okayama, Fetus Movement: Project for Extraterrestrials No. 5, realized Nov. 3, commissioned by Japan Ushimado International Art Festival for The 7th Japan Ushimado International Art Festival (see group exhibitions).
1991
Kashii former train yard, Fukuoka, The Immensity of Heaven and Earth: Project for Extraterrestrials No. 11, realized Sept. 15, commissioned by Museum City Project, Fukuoka, for Exceptional Passage: Chinese Avant-Garde Artists Exhibition (see group exhibitions).
1992
Bundeswehr-Wasserübungsplatz military base, Hannover-Münden, Fetus Movement II: Project for Extraterrestrials No. 9, realized June 27, commissioned by the Kassel International Art Exhibition for Encountering the Others: The Kassel International Art Exhibition. Artist Book. (see group exhibitions).
1993
Gobi Desert, Jiayuguan, Gansu Province, Project to Extend the Great Wall of China by 10,000 Meters: Project for Extraterrestrials No. 10, realized Feb. 27, commissioned by P3 art and environment, Tokyo. Artist Book.
Angel Meadow Park, Oxford, The Oxford Comet: Project for Extraterrestrials No. 17, realized June 26, commissioned by the Museum of Modern Art Oxford (now Modern Art Oxford) for the exhibition Silent Energy (see group exhibitions).
Sun Plaza and Spring Square, Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, Buried Civilization: Field Firings, realized Sept. 7–Oct. 20, commissioned by the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park for Outdoor Workshop ’93 (see group exhibitions).
1994
Pacific Ocean, Offshore from Numanouchi to Yotsukura Beach, Iwaki, The Horizon from the Pan-Pacific: Project for Extraterrestrials No. 14, realized Mar. 7, commissioned by Iwaki City Art Museum for the exhibition Cai Guo-Qiang: From the Pan-Pacific (see solo exhibitions).
Kyoto City Hall, Project for Heiankyo 1,200th Anniversary: Celebration from Chang’an, realized Mar. 13, commissioned by the city of Kyoto for the exhibition Making New Kyoto ’94 (see group exhibitions).
Hiroshima Central Park near the A-Bomb Dome, Hiroshima, The Earth Has Its Black Hole Too: Project for Extraterrestrials No. 16, realized Oct. 1, commissioned by Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art for the exhibition Creativity in Asian Art Now (see group exhibitions).
Nationale Park De Hoge Veluwe, Otterlo, Myth: Shooting the Suns: Project for Extraterrestrials No. 21, realized Dec. 18, commissioned by the Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo for the exhibition Heart of Darkness (see group exhibitions).
1995
Tribune Hall, Johannesburg Power Station, Restrained Violence: Rainbow: Project for Extraterrestrials No. 25, realized Feb. 28, commissioned by the Johannesburg Biennale for The Ever-Changing, Drifting Heat: The First Johannesburg Biennale (see group exhibitions).
1996
Various sites in the United States: Nevada Test Site; Mormon Mesa, Overton, Nevada; the Great Salt Lake, Utah; and New York City, The Century with Mushroom Clouds: Project for the 20th Century, realized Feb. 13–Apr. 21.
Storage area, Museum Van Hedendaagse Kunst Gent (now S.M.A.K. [Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst]), Ghent, Dragon Skeleton/Suture of the Wall: True Collection, realized Nov. 9, commissioned by Museum Van Hedendaagse Kunst Gent.
1997
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebaek, Denmark, Flying Dragon in the Heavens: Project for Extraterrestrials No. 29, realized Mar. 7, commissioned by the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebaek for the exhibition Cai Guo-Qiang: Flying Dragon in the Heavens (see solo exhibitions).
1998
Ladugardsland bay, Stockholm, between Museum of Modern Art and Vasa Museum, Parting of the Sea: Project for Extraterrestrial No. 30, realized Feb. 14, commissioned by Moderna Museet, Stockholm, for the exhibition Wounds: Between Democracy and Redemption in Contemporary Art (see group exhibitions).
Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Golden Missile, realized June 13, commissioned by Taipei Fine Arts Museum for Site of Desire: 1998 Taipei Biennial (see group exhibitions).
Taiwan Province Museum of Art (now National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts), Taichung, No Destruction, No Construction: Bombing the Taiwan Province Museum of Art, realized Aug. 21, commissioned by Taiwan Province Museum of Art. Book.
Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, Paris, Dragon: Explosion on Pleats Please Issey Miyake, realized Oct. 5, commissioned by Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain for the exhibition Issey Miyake Making Things (see group exhibitions).
1999
S.M.A.K. (Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst), Ghent, Firecrackers for the Opening of S.M.A.K., realized May 8, commissioned by S.M.A.K. for the opening events and exhibition De Opening (see group exhibitions).
Casa de Cultura, Projeto Axé Social, Salvador da Bahia, Salute, two explosion events in collaboration with children from Bandaxé, realized Aug. 18, 1999 and July 7, 2000, commissioned by The Quiet in the Land and the Museu de Arte Moderna da Bahia for the artist residence and exhibition The Quiet in the Land: Everyday Life, Contemporary Art and Project Axé (see group exhibitions).
2000
Académie de France à Rome, Villa Médicis, Rome, Till by Blade, Sow by Fire, realized June 29, commissioned by Académie de France à Rome for the exhibition La Ville, le Jardin, la Mémoire: Le Jardin (see group exhibitions).
De Oude Warandepark, Tilburg, Fountain, realized Aug. 19, commissioned by Fundament Foundation, Tilburg for the exhibition Lustwarande/Pleasure-Garden (see group exhibitions).
69th Regiment Armory, New York, Ascending a Staircase, realized Dec. 1, commissioned by NHK: Japan Broadcasting Corporation.
2001
Sonsbeek Park, Arnhem, Picturesque Painteresque, realized June 1, 2001, commissioned by Sonsbeek for
Sonsbeek 9: LocusFocus (see group exhibitions).
The Bund, Huangpu River, and Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Cityscape Fireworks, realized Oct. 20, commissioned by Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation for the closing ceremonies of the 2001 APEC Conference.
2002
Zhejiang Library, Hangzhou, Spider Web, realized May 4, commissioned for the opening of the 2002 M Meeting.
River Shannon at St. Johns Castle, Limerick, Against the Current, realized June 4, commissioned by Limerick City Gallery of Art, for the exhibition EV+A 2002: Heroes + Holies (see group exhibitions).
East River, from Manhattan to Queens, New York, Transient Rainbow, realized June 29, commissioned by the Museum of Modern Art, New York, for the opening of the Museum of Modern Art, Queens.
Hyogo Harbor, Kobe, Blue Dragon, realized July 13, commissioned by the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, Kobe for The Power of Art: The 2nd Inaugural Show of the Prefectural Museum of Art (see group exhibitions). First attempted unsuccessfully in Brisbane in 1999, commissioned by Queensland Art Gallery for The Future: The Third Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (see group exhibitions).
Obihiro Racetrack, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Skybound UFO and Shrine, realized Aug. 11, commissioned by P3 art and environment for Tokachi International Contemporary Art Exhibition: Demeter (see group exhibitions).
Trento Cemetery, Ethereal Flowers, realized Sept. 6, commissioned by Galleria Civica di Arte Contemporanea, Trento for the exhibition Cai Guo-Qiang: Ethereal Flowers (see solo exhibitions).
Royal Academy of Arts, London, Money Net, realized Sept. 12, commissioned by the Royal Academy of Arts for the exhibition The Galleries Show (see group exhibitions).
2003
Millenium Bridge and Tate Modern, London, Ye Gong Hao Long (Mr.Ye Who Loves Dragons): Explosion Project for Tate Modern, realized Jan. 31, commissioned by Tate Gallery as part of Tate & Egg Live 2003 (see group exhibitions).
S.M.A.K. (Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst), Ghent, Inheritance: Exploding Jan Hoet’s Portrait, realized Mar. 28, commissioned by S.M.A.K. for the exhibition Cai Guo-Qiang: An Arbitrary History (see solo exhibitions).
Central Park, New York, Light Cycle: Explosion Project for Central Park, realized Sept. 15, commissioned by Creative Time in conjunction with the City of New York and the Central Park Conservancy for the 150th anniversary of the creation of Central Park.
Siwa Oasis, Egypt, Man, Eagle, and Eye in the Sky, realized Nov. 11–14, commissioned by Siwa Art Project, Egypt. Book.
2004
Rovaniemi, Lapland, Caressing Zaha with Vodka, realized Feb. 11, commissioned by The Snow Show for the exhibition The Snow Show: Harvested Ice (see group exhibitions).
Marine Corps Air Station, San Diego, Painting Chinese Landscape Painting, realized Oct. 16, commissioned by the San Diego Museum of Art for the 2004 Miramar Air Show in conjunction with the exhibition Past in Reverse (see group exhibitions).
Lincoln Center, New York, Red Star, Flying Saucer, realized Nov. 10, 2004, commissioned for Asian Cultural Council 40 Years.
2005
Goebenstrasse, in front of MARTa Herford, Germany, Auto-Destruct, realized May 7, commissioned by MARTa Herford for the exhibition (my private) Heroes (see group exhibitions).
Old Turia Riverbed Park between Roal Bridge and Trinidad Bridge, Valencia, Black Rainbow: Explosion Project for Valencia, realized May 22, commissioned by Institut Valencià d’Art Modern for the exhibition Cai Guo-Qiang: On Black Fireworks (see solo exhibitions).
Zacheta National Gallery of Art, Warsaw, Red Flag, realized June 17, commissioned by Zacheta National Gallery of Art for the exhibition Cai Guo-Qiang: Paradise (see solo exhibitions).
Edinburgh Castle, Black Rainbow: Explosion Project for Edinburgh, realized July 29, commissioned by the Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh, for the exhibition Cai Guo-Qiang: Life Beneath the Shadow (see solo exhibitions).
Potomac River, Washington, D.C., Tornado: Explosion Project for the Festival of China, realized Oct. 1, commissioned by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for The Kennedy Center Festival of China.
2006
Möckernstrasse/Stresemannstrasse, Berlin, Illusion II: Explosion Project, realized July 11, commissioned by Deutsche Guggenheim, Berlin for the exhibition Cai Guo-Qiang: Head On (see solo exhibitions).
Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Clear Sky Black Cloud, realized Apr. 25–Oct. 29, commissioned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the exhibition Cai Guo-Qiang on the Roof: Transparent Monument. (see solo exhibitions).
Suzhou Museum, Exploding Tower, realized Oct. 8, commissioned by the Suzhou Museum for the inaugural exhibition Searching for Dreams in the Canals (see group exhibitions).
Taiwan, Wind Shadow, Premiered at the National Theatre, Taipei, Nov. 25. Subsequent venues to date: Kaohsiung Cultural Center, and Chiayi Performing Arts, Taiwan, collaboration with Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan.

PUBLIC ART
Mito Train Station, Lion: Feng Shui Project for Mito:Chang Sheng, realized May, 1994, commissioned by Art Tower Mito Contemporary Art Center for the exhibition Mito Annual ’94: Open System (see group exhibitions).
Tocho-ji Temple, Tokyo, Eighteen Saints, realized Dec. 1998, commissioned by Tocho-ji Temple, Tokyo.
Hakataza Theatre, Hakata Riverain, Fukuoka, Dragon Boat, realized Feb. 1999, commissioned by
Hakata Riverain, Fukuoka.
Oak Forest, Gramsbergen/Laar, Netherlands, Skylight, realized Sept. 1999, official opening June 2000, commissioned by Städtische Galerie Nordhorn, for the public art project Kunstwegen (see group exhibitions).
Dentsu Headquarters, Shiodome district, Tokyo, Turtle Fountain, realized Dec. 2002, commissioned by Dentsu.
Roppongi Hills, Mori Arts Center, Tokyo, High Mountain Flowing Water: 3-D Landscape Painting, realized Oct. 2003, commissioned by Mori Arts Center, Tokyo.
Bandai, Niigata, Lighthouse, realized Apr. 2003, commissioned by the city of Niigata.
Bronx Criminal Court, New York, One Stone, realized 2007, commissioned by the City of New York: Percent for Art Program Commission.
 
 
EXHIBITIONS CURATED BY CAI GUO-QIANG
2001
UMoCA (Under Museum of Contemporary Art), Colle di Val d’Elsa, Who Is the Happiest? UMoCA Inaugural Exhibition with Ni Tsai-Chin for Arte all’Arte 6 (see group exhibitions).
2002
Shanghai Art Museum, Cai Guo-Qiang’s Maksimov Collection, Feb. 1–Mar. 1. Part of Cai Guo-Qiang (see solo exhibitions).
Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing (organized by Fan Di’An and Wang Mingxian), Cai Guo-Qiang’s Maksimov Collection, Apr. 28–May 9.
Gwanshanyue Art Museum, Shenzhen (organized by Fan Di’An and Wang Mingxian), Cai Guo-Qiang’s Maksimov Collection, July 19–Aug. 18.
2003
DMoCA (Dragon Museum of Contemporary Art), Tsunan Mountain Park, Niigata Prefecture, DMoCA 2: Pause, Inaugural Exhibition with Kiki Smith. Exh. cat. Part of Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial 2003 (see group exhibitions).
2004
BMoCA (Bunker Museum of Contemporary Art), Kinmen Island, Taiwan, 18 Solo Exhibitions, Sept. 11, 2004–Feb. 28, 2005. Exh. cat.
BMoCA (Bunker Museum of Contemporary Art), Kinmen Island, Taiwan, Kinmen Children’s Bunker Museum of Art, Sept. 11, 2004–Feb. 28, 2005. Exh. cat.
2005
Venice Arsenale and Vergini Garden, Venice, Virgin Garden: Emersion. China Pavilion at the 51st Venice Biennale, June 12–Nov. 6.
UMoCA (Under Museum of Contemporary Art), Colle di Val d’Elsa, Jennifer Wen Ma: Aeolian Garden, Sept. 30, 2005–June 30, 2006. Exh. cat. Part of Arte all’Arte 10 (see group exhibitions).
2006
DMoCA (Dragon Museum of Contemporary Art), Tsunan Mountain Park, Niigata Prefecture, DMoCA 3: Range, Kotaro Miyanaga. Part of Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial 2006 (see group exhibitions).
2008
Sackler Center for Arts Education, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Everything Is Museum,
Feb. 22–May 28. Exh. cat. Part of Cai Guo-Qiang: I Want to Believe (see solo exhibitions).