- 812
Cai Guo-Qiang
Estimate
180,000 - 240,000 HKD
bidding is closed
Description
- Cai Guo-Qiang
- Love of Universe
- gunpowder and ink on paper
signed and titled in Chinese and dated 2011.3, framed
Condition
This work is generally in good condition with minor paper creases throughout. Please note that it was not examined out of its frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
The Artist and the Critic
Cai Guo-Qiang and Takami Akihiko
The late Japanese art critic Takami Akihiko provided a great deal of help to Cai Guo-Qiang during the latter’s period in Japan, helping him launch his art practice. Cai saw Takami as a mentor, and Lot 812 to Lot 817, works from his Japan period, were all treasured gifts from the artist to the critic. Appearing on the auction market for the first time, these artworks bear witness to the friendship between the two, and form a valuable archive that sheds light on the artist himself.
Takami and Cai met at the artist’s first Japanese solo exhibition in 1987. Cai’s exhibition in Kigoma Gallery that year was not hugely successful, and he was fortunate to meet Takami as he must have struggled with disappointment. Takami helped the artist obtain the patronage of a Japanese gunpowder manufacturer, allowing Cai to conduct his works with Japanese gunpowder instead of Chinese gunpowder. Cai could then greatly expand the scale of his works and realize the large-scale explosive performances he had envisioned. This development directly catalysed the creation of Cai’s important work, Human Abode: Project for Extraterrestrials No. 1 at the Tama River Fussa Outdoor Art Exhibition. It marked the advent of a six-year series of Project for Extraterrestrials outdoor explosion performances, which became the most important series of the artist’s career and established his reputation in international art circles.
Takami Akihiko’s assistance to Cai Guo-Qiang during his Japanese period was profound. He directly helped Cai realise his artistic ambitions and consistently recommended Cai to Japan’s art world and galleries. Within three years he had brought about a new acceptance of both the artist and contemporary Chinese art in general. Their friendship created a link between Chinese and Japanese art circles, and in 1989, Cai gave a lecture on Japanese contemporary art during the China / Avant-Garde exhibition Beijing. After Cai left Japan, they maintained their friendship, and when Takami fell ill in 2011, Cai returned to Japan to pay him a visit. Today’s auction includes Yuzhou zhi lian, a precious gift from Cai to Takami. The collection also includes an early 1990 gunpowder explosion piece, Bigfoot’s Footprints: Project for Extraterrestrials No. 6 (Lot 813) and an extremely rare oil painting, Dunhuang bihua zhi yinxiang (Lot 817).
Cai Guo-Qiang and Takami Akihiko
The late Japanese art critic Takami Akihiko provided a great deal of help to Cai Guo-Qiang during the latter’s period in Japan, helping him launch his art practice. Cai saw Takami as a mentor, and Lot 812 to Lot 817, works from his Japan period, were all treasured gifts from the artist to the critic. Appearing on the auction market for the first time, these artworks bear witness to the friendship between the two, and form a valuable archive that sheds light on the artist himself.
Takami and Cai met at the artist’s first Japanese solo exhibition in 1987. Cai’s exhibition in Kigoma Gallery that year was not hugely successful, and he was fortunate to meet Takami as he must have struggled with disappointment. Takami helped the artist obtain the patronage of a Japanese gunpowder manufacturer, allowing Cai to conduct his works with Japanese gunpowder instead of Chinese gunpowder. Cai could then greatly expand the scale of his works and realize the large-scale explosive performances he had envisioned. This development directly catalysed the creation of Cai’s important work, Human Abode: Project for Extraterrestrials No. 1 at the Tama River Fussa Outdoor Art Exhibition. It marked the advent of a six-year series of Project for Extraterrestrials outdoor explosion performances, which became the most important series of the artist’s career and established his reputation in international art circles.
Takami Akihiko’s assistance to Cai Guo-Qiang during his Japanese period was profound. He directly helped Cai realise his artistic ambitions and consistently recommended Cai to Japan’s art world and galleries. Within three years he had brought about a new acceptance of both the artist and contemporary Chinese art in general. Their friendship created a link between Chinese and Japanese art circles, and in 1989, Cai gave a lecture on Japanese contemporary art during the China / Avant-Garde exhibition Beijing. After Cai left Japan, they maintained their friendship, and when Takami fell ill in 2011, Cai returned to Japan to pay him a visit. Today’s auction includes Yuzhou zhi lian, a precious gift from Cai to Takami. The collection also includes an early 1990 gunpowder explosion piece, Bigfoot’s Footprints: Project for Extraterrestrials No. 6 (Lot 813) and an extremely rare oil painting, Dunhuang bihua zhi yinxiang (Lot 817).