Tuesday

Repeating Explosions : Cai Guo-Qiang

How can an exhibition be in two museums at once? We’re not talking about a digital piece or a film, but actual sculptures. If you’re an artist such as Cai Guo-Qiang, just make a copy. This is exactly what he did for his Inopportune: Stage One exhibit at the Guggenheim in New York. Well, I guess not exactly.

Cars, sequenced mulit-channel light tubes, dimensions variable Installation view: MASS MoCA, North Adams, Massachusetts Photo by Kevin Kennefick, Courtesy Cai Guo-Qiang

Interestingly enough, the work occupying the circular atrium of the Guggenheim is marketed and presented as if it is the actual exhibit showcased at the Seattle Art Museum. However, if we really read the credits of the work, which are sparse and seemingly covert, we will find the words “exhibition copy”. If the piece is not the actual work, why disguise it as such?

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