TED Talks Daily A firework ladder to the sky — and the magic of explosive art | Cai Guo-Qiang (re-release)
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Jul 4, 2025 
Cai Guo-Qiang, a multidisciplinary artist renowned for his breathtaking pyrotechnics and gunpowder art, shares his artistic journey from childhood explosions to international acclaim. He explores the duality of gunpowder as a force of destruction and creation, showcasing projects like the mesmerizing 'Sky Ladder,' a tribute to his grandmother. Cai also discusses the innovative integration of AI in his artwork, transforming traditional fireworks into a medium for environmental storytelling and beauty, all while reflecting on life's complexities.
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Childhood Gunpowder Lessons
- As a child, Cai Guo-Qiang set off small explosions on a canvas in his living room using gunpowder.
- His grandmother taught him that while lighting fires is important, knowing how to put them out is even more crucial.
Olympic Fireworks Footprints
- Cai designed 29 giant footprints fireworks that traversed 15 kilometers across Beijing for the 2008 Olympics opening.
- This spectacle symbolized an idealistic vision of globalization to a global audience of 1.5 billion.
Sky Ladder Realized for Grandma
- Cai spent 21 years attempting to create the Sky Ladder—a fireworks ladder reaching the clouds, a symbol of dreams.
- It finally rose 500 meters over his hometown, visible like a golden ladder to the sky for his 100-year-old grandmother.