Cai Guo-Qiang Takes Over the Prado with Gunpowder Paintings
For the very first time, the Museo del Prado in Madrid has welcomed a living artist, Cai Guo-Qiang (born 1957), to produce and showcase new works. His solo show, titled 'Lo spirito della pittura' (The Spirit of Painting), is on view until March 4, 2018, and includes 27 pieces, with eight crafted on-site in October 2017. Cai collaborated with a team in the historic Salón de Reinos, which is being renovated by architect Norman Foster. Throughout his residency, he examined masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, Rubens, and El Greco. The largest piece, 'Lo spirito della pittura' (18 x 3 meters), was created live prior to the exhibition's opening. This event has ignited discussions regarding the Prado's engagement with contemporary art, a position supported by Director Miguel Falomir.
Key facts
- Cai Guo-Qiang is the first living artist to exhibit at the Museo del Prado.
- Exhibition 'Lo spirito della pittura' runs until March 4, 2018.
- 27 works are on display, 8 created on-site in Madrid.
- Works were produced at the Salón de Reinos, a historic building being renovated by Norman Foster.
- Cai used gunpowder sourced from Valencia for his Madrid works.
- The largest work measures 18 x 3 meters and was created live before the opening.
- Cai's technique involves stencils, gunpowder, and controlled explosions.
- The Prado's director Miguel Falomir defended the inclusion of a contemporary artist.
Entities
Artists
- Cai Guo-Qiang
- El Greco
- Diego Velázquez
- Francisco Goya
- Peter Paul Rubens
- Titian
- Miguel Barceló
- Cy Twombly
- Thomas Struth
- Richard Hamilton
- Francesco Jodice
- Pablo Picasso
- Édouard Manet
Institutions
- Museo del Prado
- Salón de Reinos
- Museo del Ejército
- Palacio del Buen Retiro
- Biennale di Venezia
- Artribune
Locations
- Madrid
- Spain
- Valencia
- Toledo
- Creta
- Venice
- Rome
- New York
- China