A firework ladder to the sky — and the magic of explosive art | Cai Guo-Qiang (re-release)

TED Talks Daily

Jul 04

Overview Shownote Highlights Transcript Chapters Pins

Shownote

From a boy setting off small explosions in his living room to the creator of world-famous pyrotechnic events, multidisciplinary artist Cai Guo-Qiang has always been drawn to gunpowder. He gives a stunning tour of his work — including his fireworks spectacl...

Highlights

Cai Guo-Qiang’s art defies simple categorization—blending explosive force with poetic vision, he transforms gunpowder into a medium of profound expression. From intimate childhood experiments to monumental global performances, his work navigates the delicate balance between chaos and creation.

03:31

Gunpowder is both destructive and creative, a duality central to my art

14:30

AI can transcend human cognition and unleash new forms of creativity

Chapters

What happens when a childhood fascination with fire meets the weight of tradition?

00:00

How do explosions become moments of collective wonder and cultural memory?

07:08

Can AI help us imagine art—and humanity’s future—in ways we never could alone?

11:57

Transcript

Elise Hu: You're listening to TED Talks Daily, where we bring you new ideas to spark your curiosity every day. I'm your host, Elise Hu. From a boy setting off small explosions in his living room to the creator of world-famous pyrotechnic events, multidisci...