Saint Laurent Presents 'Cai Guo-Qiang: When the Sky Blooms with Sakura'
Created in Iwaki, Japan and commissioned by Saint Laurent, this is the first daytime fireworks event in Japan.
Saint Laurent continues to expand their artistry beyond the realms of fashion. The French luxury maison is constantly collaborating with artists globally in various mediums and artforms.
On 26th June 2023, Anthony Vaccarello unveiled the label's latest art commission, in collaboration with Contemporary artist Cai Guo-Qiang. Known for his pyrotechnical artistry and use of gunpowder as a medium to create art, the Chinese artist brought to life the daytime fireworks display titled "When the Sky Blooms with Sakura". The event took place at Yotsukura Beach in Iwaki City, an area that had suffered severe damage from the 2011 Japan earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
Feast your eyes on visuals from the event below:
The mesmerising spectacle unfolded over a duration of around thirty minutes, during which 40,000 meticulously orchestrated fireworks shells were launched, bridging the gap between the sea and the sky. The result was a breathtaking display that spanned an impressive 400 meters in width and 130 meters in height.
This groundbreaking event marked Japan's first-ever daytime fireworks exhibition and served as a prelude to Cai's solo exhibition titled "Ramble in the Cosmos – From Primeval Fireball Onward" at the National Art Center in Tokyo, scheduled to open on 29th June 2023.
