摘要：蔡国强，这位享誉国际的中国艺术家，与火药的缘分始于童年。1957年，他出生于福建泉州的一个艺术世家，父亲是一位传统书法家。在那个特殊的历史时期——中国文化大革命，蔡国强与父亲一起绘画，度过了难忘的青春岁月。那时，他便对火药产生了浓厚的兴趣，这种看似危险却又充满
蔡国强
蔡国强在马德里王国厅 (Salón de Reinos) 观看火药画的点火 / 2017 ©© Museo Nacional del Prado
蔡国强，这位享誉国际的中国艺术家，与火药的缘分始于童年。1957年，他出生于福建泉州的一个艺术世家，父亲是一位传统书法家。在那个特殊的历史时期——中国文化大革命，蔡国强与父亲一起绘画，度过了难忘的青春岁月。那时，他便对火药产生了浓厚的兴趣，这种看似危险却又充满神秘力量的物质，似乎与他内心对艺术的渴望不谋而合。
Cai Guo-Qiang, this internationally renowned Chinese artist, first encountered fireworks during his childhood. Born in 1957 into an artistic family in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, his father was a traditional calligrapher. During the Cultural Revolution, a special historical period in China, Cai Guo-Qiang spent his unforgettable youth painting alongside his father. It was then that he developed a keen interest in fireworks, a substance that seemed both dangerous and filled with mysterious power, resonating with his inner desire for art.
蔡国强的父亲蔡瑞琴是一位书法家和传统画家，这是他 1970 年代的家庭照片。©Cai Studio
蔡国强与母亲万于言和父亲蔡瑞琴，摄于 1959 年左右。©Cai Studio
蔡国强和洪红武在日本的合影（1986-1995）©Cai Studio
蔡国强与《升龙计划：外星人》第 2 号日本艺术家合影 / 1989 年 ©Cai Studio
1986年，蔡国强远赴日本留学，开始了他的艺术探索之旅。在日本，他接触到了更多元的艺术形式和思想，但火药始终是他创作的核心。他开始尝试将火药与绘画结合，用火药在画布上创作出独特的艺术作品。这种创新的艺术手法，让他的作品在国际艺术界逐渐崭露头角。
In 1986, Cai Guo-Qiang traveled to Japan for further studies, embarking on his artistic exploration journey. In Japan, he was exposed to more diverse artistic forms and ideas, but fireworks remained the core of his creations. He began experimenting with combining fireworks with painting, using fireworks to create unique artworks on canvas. This innovative artistic approach gradually made his work stand out in the international art community.
《45.5 亿年前人类在地球上制造的陨石坑：外星人计划 3 号》 / 1990 年在法国普罗旺斯地区艾克斯完成 ©Cai Studio
神秘圆圈爆炸事件，于 2012 年在洛杉矶当代艺术博物馆格芬当代艺术馆现场实现。©Joshua White/JWPictures.com
1995年，蔡国强移居美国纽约，这座充满活力与艺术气息的城市为他提供了更广阔的舞台。在纽约，他不仅继续他的火药艺术创作，还开始尝试更大规模的户外火药爆炸项目。他的作品逐渐从画廊走向户外，从画布走向天空，用火药在夜空中绘制出绚丽的烟花图景，让无数观众为之震撼。
In 1995, Cai Guo-Qiang moved to New York City, USA, a vibrant and artistic city that provided him with a broader stage. In New York, he not only continued his fireworks art creations but also began attempting larger-scale outdoor fireworks explosion projects. His works gradually shifted from galleries to outdoors, from canvases to the sky, using fireworks to paint stunning fireworks displays in the night sky, awe-inspiring numerous audiences.
天梯，福建泉州惠屿岛港，2015 年 6 月 15 日凌晨 4:49 完成，时长约 2 分 30 秒。©Lin Yi & Wen-You Cai
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《天梯》是蔡国强艺术生涯中最具代表性和传奇色彩的作品之一。这个梦想源于他童年时的一个奇思妙想——搭建一架通往天空的梯子。1994年，他在英国巴斯首次尝试实现这个项目，但因空域许可问题和恶劣天气，项目以失败告终。2001年，在上海，他又一次尝试，却因9/11事件后的安全问题再次受挫；2012年，在洛杉矶，许可证因森林火灾风险被吊销。
"Sky Ladder" is one of the most representative and legendary works of Cai Guo-Qiang's artistic career. This dream originated from a childhood whim—building a ladder to the sky. In 1994, he first attempted to realize this project in Bath, England, but it failed due to airspace permission issues and bad weather. In 2001, he tried again in Shanghai but was thwarted once more due to security concerns following the 9/11 attacks. In 2012, in Los Angeles, the permit was revoked due to the risk of forest fires.
尽管屡遭挫折，蔡国强却从未放弃。2015年，他将项目选址在家乡外海的一个小渔岛——惠屿岛港。这一次，他没有试图获得政府许可，而是完全自筹资金。《天梯》是一架高达1650英尺的梯子，由一只巨型气球托起，并装有炸药。当这尊巨大的雕塑点燃时，它创造了一个奇迹般升上天堂的火热景象，仿佛真的连接了地球与天空。这件作品不仅是蔡国强对火药艺术的一次极致探索，更是他为百岁高龄的祖母精心准备的礼物。他曾在世界各地做过项目，但祖母从未亲眼见过。他希望通过《天梯》，让祖母感受到他对她的爱与敬意。
Despite repeated setbacks, Cai Guo-Qiang never gave up. In 2015, he chose to locate the project on a small fishing island off the coast of his hometown, Huiyu Island Port. This time, he did not seek government permission but instead fully self-funded the project. "Sky Ladder" is a ladder reaching 1,650 feet high, supported by a giant balloon and equipped with explosives. When this monumental sculpture was ignited, it created a miraculous fiery scene ascending to heaven, as if truly connecting Earth to the sky. This artwork is not only Cai Guo-Qiang's ultimate exploration of fireworks art but also a carefully prepared gift for his centenarian grandmother. He has worked on projects worldwide, but his grandmother has never seen them in person. He hoped that through "Sky Ladder," she could feel his love and respect for her.
历史的足迹：2008 年北京奥运会开幕式烟花项目 ©Hiro Ihara
‘蔡国强的艺术生涯中，与中国政府的合作与冲突是一个绕不开的话题。他曾为2008年北京奥运会创作了壮观的烟花表演，这场表演吸引了全球约10亿人观看，几乎占世界人口的15%。然而，也有人质疑他与独裁政权的合作，认为他的作品被用作宣传工具。’
Throughout Cai Guo-Qiang's artistic career, cooperation and conflict with the Chinese government have been inevitable topics. He created a spectacular fireworks display for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, which attracted an audience of about 1 billion people worldwide, nearly 15% of the world's population. However, some have questioned his collaboration with authoritarian regimes, believing that his works were used as propaganda tools.
五环金环：2008 年北京奥运会开幕式烟花项目 ©Hao Yuanzheng
对此，蔡国强有着自己的看法。他认为，世界各地的艺术家都与政府合作举办奥运会等大型项目，这本身无可厚非。他强调，作为一名艺术家，他关注的是艺术本身，而非政治。他希望通过自己的作品，与更广阔的世界对话，传递出积极向上的精神力量。
Regarding this, Cai Guo-Qiang has his own perspective. He believes that artists worldwide collaborate with governments to host large-scale events like the Olympics, which is understandable. He emphasizes that as an artist, he focuses on the art itself rather than politics. He hopes to engage with the broader world through his works, conveying a positive spiritual force.
牡丹盛开：2008 年北京奥运会开幕式烟花项目 ©新华社
在2014年亚太经济会议的烟花表演项目中，蔡国强的创作理念与政府官员之间发生了冲突。他的原计划是打破中国传统的夸张、敲锣打鼓的仪式，用非传统的动态影像和抽象爆炸来表演。但在与政府官员的沟通中，他的许多独特创意被否定，最终项目变成了一场标准的烟火表演。这让蔡国强感到沮丧，但他并没有因此放弃，而是将更多的精力投入到《天梯》的创作中，一个完全绕过国家政府的项目。
During the fireworks display project for the 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, a conflict arose between Cai Guo-Qiang's creative vision and government officials. His original plan was to break away from China's traditional exaggerated, loud, and ceremonial style, using non-traditional dynamic imagery and abstract explosions for the performance. However, during communication with government officials, many of his unique ideas were rejected, and the project ultimately became a standard fireworks display. Cai Guo-Qiang felt disappointed but did not give up; instead, he invested more energy into creating "Sky Ladder," a project that completely bypassed the national government.
蔡国强 /《樱花满天的日子》之“黑色海浪”/ 2023 ©Saint Laurent 、 Cai Studio
蔡国强 /《樱花满天的日子》之“樱花绘卷”/ 日本磐城四仓海岸 / 2023 ©Saint Laurent 、 Cai Studio
蔡国强的艺术探索之路从未停止。他的作品从最初的火药绘画，到后来的大型户外火药爆炸项目，再到如今尝试使用彩色火药的爆炸作品，不断突破自我，推陈出新。他将中国传统文化与现代艺术相结合，用火药这种独特的艺术语言，向世界展示中国艺术的魅力。
Cai Guo-Qiang's artistic exploration has never ceased. His works have evolved from initial firework paintings to later large-scale outdoor firework explosion projects and now to experimenting with colored firework explosions, continuously pushing boundaries and innovating. He combines traditional Chinese culture with modern art, using fireworks as a unique artistic language to showcase the charm of Chinese art to the world.
蔡国强 /《爆炸工作室》/ 2019 年 2 月 21 日下午 3 点 / 庞贝古城露天剧场完成 ©Yvonne Zhao
蔡国强 / 《遗产》（装置视图）/ 2013 ©Mark Sherwood, QAGOMA
在创作过程中，蔡国强注重与观众的互动和体验。他希望通过自己的作品，激发观众的想象力和思考，让艺术与观众之间产生更深层次的交流。他的作品不仅在视觉上给人以震撼，更在精神层面上引发人们对生命、自然和宇宙的思考。
In his creative process, Cai Guo-Qiang emphasizes interaction and experience with the audience. He hopes to inspire their imagination and reflection through his works, fostering deeper exchanges between art and the audience. His works not only visually stun people but also provoke spiritual contemplation on life, nature, and the universe.
蔡国强 / 《生命的季节：夏季》/ 2015 年 ©蔡国强
蔡国强 / 《罂粟系列幻觉一号》/ 2015 ©蔡国强
蔡国强的艺术成就得到了国际社会的广泛认可。他的作品曾在世界各地的博物馆和艺术机构展出，如纽约古根海姆博物馆、伦敦泰特现代美术馆等。他本人也获得了诸多荣誉和奖项，如2009年获得有“艺术界诺贝尔奖”之称的“马蒂斯奖”。
Cai Guo-Qiang's artistic achievements have been widely recognized by the international community. His works have been exhibited at museums and art institutions worldwide, such as the Guggenheim Museum in New York and the Tate Modern in London. He has also received numerous honors and awards, including the "Prix Matisse" in 2009, known as the "Nobel Prize in the art world."
蔡国强在玻璃和镜子上创作的火药画被点燃，《非品牌 5》 ©Luo Sang
作为一名成功的艺术家，蔡国强深知艺术传承的重要性。他希望自己的经历和作品能够激励更多的年轻艺术家，让他们勇敢地追求自己的艺术梦想。他常常与年轻艺术家交流，分享自己的创作经验和心得，帮助他们在艺术道路上不断前行。
As a successful artist, Cai Guo-Qiang understands the importance of artistic heritage. He hopes that his experiences and works can inspire more young artists to bravely pursue their artistic dreams. He often communicates with young artists, sharing his creative experiences and insights to help them advance on their artistic paths.
蔡国强认为，做艺术家虽然不易，但非常有意义。他鼓励年轻艺术家要有自己的独特视角和创新精神，不要被传统观念和既定模式所束缚。他相信，只要坚持自己的艺术追求，不断努力和探索，就一定能够在艺术的道路上取得成功。
Cai Guo-Qiang believes that being an artist is challenging but highly meaningful. He encourages young artists to have their unique perspectives and innovative spirits, unshackled by traditional ideas and established patterns. He believes that by adhering to their artistic pursuits and continuously striving and exploring, they can succeed on the artistic path.
蔡国强的艺术生涯就像一场绚烂的烟花，用火药点燃了无数人对艺术的热爱和向往。他的《天梯》不仅是一件震撼人心的艺术作品，更是他艺术探索和人生追求的象征。他用火药连接了地球与天空，也连接了过去与未来，传递出对生命、自然和宇宙的敬畏与热爱。
Cai Guo-Qiang's artistic career is like a spectacular fireworks display, igniting countless people's passion and longing for art. His "Sky Ladder" is not only a heart-stopping artwork but also a symbol of his artistic exploration and life pursuit. With fireworks, he connects Earth to the sky and the past to the future, conveying reverence and love for life, nature, and the universe.
蔡国强火药画《绘画的精神》在马德里雷诺斯大厅的点燃 / 2017 ©Museo Nacional del Prado
在未来的艺术道路上，蔡国强将继续用火药书写属于自己的传奇，用艺术照亮更多人的心灵。他的作品将永远留在人们的记忆中，激励着一代又一代的艺术家们，勇敢地追求自己的艺术梦想，不断探索和创新，为世界艺术的发展贡献自己的力量。
On his future artistic journey, Cai Guo-Qiang will continue to write his own legend with fireworks, illuminating more people's hearts with art. His works will forever remain in people's memories, inspiring generations of artists to bravely pursue their artistic dreams, continuously explore and innovate, contributing their strength to the development of world art.
蔡国强，中国当代艺术界的杰出代表，以其独特的火药艺术闻名于世。他出生于福建泉州，毕业于上海戏剧学院，现居纽约。蔡国强的艺术创作横跨绘画、装置、录像及表演艺术等多种媒材，其中以火药为主。他的作品继承了中国传统文化，同时突破传统束缚，将艺术融入生活，融入自然。蔡国强的艺术风格深受东方哲学和文化的影响，同时也吸收了西方现代主义艺术的元素。他的作品主题丰富，涵盖中国文化传统、当代社会现实、人类历史等多个领域。蔡国强的艺术成就得到了国际社会的广泛认可，曾获得诸多荣誉和奖项。他以艺术的力量和强悍的作品视觉，漫步全球，成为东西方文化交流的桥梁。
来源：星期八室内设计