cai guo-qiang sets off virtual fireworks above the forbidden city in his first VR artwork

chinese artist cai guo-qiang has unveiled his first virtual reality artwork, created in partnership with HTC VIVE arts. the work, titled ‘sleepwalking in the forbidden city’, debuted as part of ‘odyssey and homecoming’ — the artist’s major exhibition at the palace museum, beijing, which remains on view until february 5, 2021. for this exhibition, cai guo-qiang uses VR technology to create a fireworks ceremony dedicated to the forbidden city and its history.

still for VR work sleepwalking in the forbidden city | image courtesy cai studio (also main image)

cai guo-qiang began working with gunpowder in the 1980s and is internationally known for his large-scale gunpowder paintings, installations, and outdoor explosion events. on view at the palace museum in beijing, the ‘odyssey and homecoming’ exhibition coincides with the 600th anniversary of the founding of the forbidden city. inspired by the fireworks celebrations historically held to mark the lunar new year, and how virtual reality can enhance the tension between the real and virtual world, the artist imagines an ancient daytime fireworks ceremony in celebration of the site.

still for VR work sleepwalking in the forbidden city | image courtesy cai studio

‘the daytime fireworks ceremony for sleepwalking in the forbidden city was inspired by the traditional principles of ’round sky and square earth’ and wuxing (the five elements),’ explains cai-guo qiang. ‘the work highlights traditional chinese aesthetics and the bold spirit of ‘the world is mine’ felt within the forbidden city, and expresses my thoughts while ‘sleepwalking’ back to that chapter of its history.’

still for VR work sleepwalking in the forbidden city | image courtesy cai studio

‘sleepwalking in the forbidden city’ is installed in the final section of the exhibition and comprises of three elements: a large-scale alabaster model of the forbidden city, created in collaboration with craftsmen from the artist’s hometown; a richly layered gunpowder drawing; and the VR film. using the ancient medium of gunpowder, the artist challenges the adaptability, control and precision associated with VR technology. at a time when it is feasible to reproduce nearly any object in the virtual world, the artist spent five months sculpting a model of the forbidden city and created a full-scale fireworks ceremony by the liuyang river. through a unique production process — which incorporates 3D and modeling, 360° filming, and CG technologies — the artist imbues the virtual world with the authentic touch of artisanship and explosive energy, aiming to convey a sense of the natural world and capture the energy between heaven and earth.

still for VR work sleepwalking in the forbidden city | image courtesy cai studio

in the exhibition, as the viewer puts on the VR headset they are taken on a dreamlike journey, where they  experience the artist’s signature fireworks from unexpected perspectives — sometimes immersed inside the alabaster model of the forbidden city, and sometimes soaring high above, traversing the colored smoke in midair. in the 5-minute VR artwork, audiences are able to witness the grand ceremony unfold over four chapters, beginning with gold, silver, and red fireworks, which ignite from all corners of the historic site. moving from sparking strands of colored smoke to sunrise views over the city’s layered rooftops, the piece concludes with an explosive finale as the colored smoke and pigments dissipate and fall through the sky.

still for VR work sleepwalking in the forbidden city | image courtesy cai studio

‘it’s my first-time using VR as an artistic medium, and I hope to destabilize the sleek and flawless aesthetics commonly associated with works created by high technology, and to explore its capacity to evoke raw emotions,’ cai-guo qiang continues. ‘ultimately, through the immersive 360° fireworks, I hope to create a channel for audiences to have a dialogue with a broader space and time.’

still for VR work sleepwalking in the forbidden city | image courtesy cai studio

‘for many years cai guo-qiang’s ground- breaking artworks have defied conventions to capture the imaginations of millions of people around the world,’ says victoria chang, HTC VIVE arts director. ‘we greatly admire his artistic vision and tenacity in achieving the near impossible with his breathtakingly explosive and complex artworks. HTC VIVE arts is committed to working with artists to experiment and innovate, using digital technologies to push beyond traditional boundaries. we are delighted to have been able to support cai guo-qiang’s creative exploration of a new medium in his practice, with his first artwork made using virtual reality. the result is remarkable — ‘sleepwalking in the forbidden city’ will surely bring audiences a most extraordinary and memorable experience of contemporary art.’

still for VR work sleepwalking in the forbidden city | image courtesy cai studio

cai guo-qiang’s exhibition, curated by sir simon schama, is presented by the palace museum in the meridian gate galleries and features one-hundred-eighty works by the artist displayed across four galleries. in 2017, cai guo-qiang embarked on what he calls his ‘individual’s journey through western art history’, creating works for the world’s most important museums — including madrid’s prado museum, the pushkin state museum of fine arts in moscow, and the uffizi galleries in florence. this journey culminates in this major presentation in beijing, which the artist aptly titles ‘odyssey and homecoming’.

still for VR work sleepwalking in the forbidden city | image courtesy cai studio

‘sleepwalking in the forbidden city’ has been created in partnership with HTC VIVE arts. the VR film was directed by shanshan xia with consulting director lei chen. CGI animation was realised by beijing blackbow, and the 360° film was shot by shanghai leshan information technology. the alabaster model of the forbidden city was handcrafted by quanzhou xinwen craft, and liuyang tang hua fireworks executed the fireworks display. the exhibition remains on view at the palace museum in beijing until february 5, 2021.

VR work sleepwalking in the forbidden city, installation view at exhibition odyssey and homecoming, 2020
image by lin yi, courtesy of cai studio

production of the alabaster model for sleepwalking in the forbidden city: after the fireworks in quanzhou, china
image by guosheng cai

production of the alabaster model for sleepwalking in the forbidden city: after the fireworks in quanzhou, china in 2020
image by guosheng cai

cai guo-qiang reviewing a rough cut of his VR work sleepwalking in the forbidden city in 2020
image by 33 studio, courtesy of cai studio

ignition of sleepwalking in the forbidden city: after the fireworks
image by 33 studio, courtesy of cai studio

ignition of sleepwalking in the forbidden city: after the fireworks
image by 33 studio, courtesy of cai studio

fireworks for sleepwalking in the forbidden city in liuyang, china in 2020
image by tang hua fireworks, courtesy of cai studio

project info:

artwork: sleepwalking in the forbidden city
exhibition: odyssey and homecoming at the palace museum, beijing
artist: cai guo-qiang
in partnership with: HTC VIVE arts
VR film direction: shanshan xia with consulting director lei chen
CGI animation: beijing blackbow
360° film shot by: shanghai leshan information technology
alabaster model of the forbidden city handcrafted by: quanzhou xinwen craft
fireworks executed by: liuyang tang hua