Cai Guo-Qiang. Danger Book: Suicide Fireworks
L
ondon, United Kingdom, 2008. Edition of nine unique books, one prototype and one artist proof. Each book is individually titled. Height: 75cm / Width: 41,4cm / Depth: 2cm The artist mixed gunpowder with paste to draw various pictures in each Danger Book and placed a bundle of matches on a striking strip along the base of each book’s spine. A dangling string was attached to the bundle of matches to entice the reader to pull on it and ignite the book. The concept description by the artist is as follows: Be careful of books. Be careful with books. Be careful or one can become a weapon-wielder. Be careful or one can become the victim. The concept and design was done by the artist. Each book is unique. The photo documentation of the making of the prototype was done by Tatsumi Masatoshi. Video documentation was in charge of Ming Kai Leung, Lukas Hauser (Camera) and Lauren Petty (Video). The video shown at the Blood on Paper exhibition was courtesy of the Cai Studio, New York and Bejing. The production of Danger Book: Suicide Fireworks has been possible thanks to Cai Guo-Qiang, Tatsumi Masatoshi, Hong Hong Wu, Michelly Yun, Mariluz Hoyos, Alicia Lu and Mc Connelly/Hauser. Each book is signed and numbered by the artist.
Provenance:
•Ivorypress and the artist
Exhibited in:
• Blood on Paper, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, United Kingdom. 15/04-29/06/2008
• I Want to Believe, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, USA. 22/02-28/ 05/2008
• I Want to Believe, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, Peoples Republic of China (organized in collaboration with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York). 19/08/-02/09/2008
• Artist’s Books, Whitechapel Gallery, London, United Kingdom. 25/09-27/09/2009
Collections:
• Private Collections
If you require further information, please contact us at: enquiries@ivorypress.com
