Cai Guo-Qiang, born in 1957 in Quanzhou, China, emerged from the cultural tumult of the Cultural Revolution. His early exposure to Western literature and traditional Chinese art, courtesy of his calligrapher father, deeply influenced his multifaceted artistic career. Witnessing both destruction and reconstruction with gunpowder during his youth, Cai’s work became a fusion of symbols, from Chinese traditions to Maoist concepts. Beyond acting in martial arts films, he delved into Western modernity, studying stage design at the Shanghai Theater Academy. Cai’s pioneering contributions place him at the forefront of Chinese art’s intellectual narrative and theoretical exploration.

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