Cai Guo-qiang: Falling Back To Earth

GOMA's mind-blowing exhibition Cai Guo-Qiang: Falling Back to Earth, can now be viewed After Hours on Wednesday nights from 5.30-7.30*.

The exhibition is divided into three major installations, with the centrepiece being Heritage 2013, 99 replicas of animals from around the world that have amassed around a sand-surrounded, mirror-like blue lake reminiscent of those on Moreton Island.

The newly commissioned work, one of two in the exhibition, shows a stunning clarity in both aesthetics and context, lending a meditative quality to the art.

The second installation and recently commissioned piece, Eucalyptus 2013, is magnificent in size and structure, showing an enormous tree along the length of GOMA’s central Long Gallery. Its appearance is inspired by the ancient trees of Lamington National Park in Queensland, a park known for its natural beauty and abundance of wildlife.

‘Falling Back to Earth’ is bookended with Head On 2006, Cai’s signature installation of 99 wolves soaring en masse towards a glass wall as though over an invisible bridge. Although it’s the first time Head On will be on exhibit in Australia, the artist’s work has evoked deep reactions with its scathing commentary on blindly and blithely following along with the collective mentality.

The motive behind Cai’s exhibition stems from his desire to express how humanity is connected to nature, a sentiment he picked up from his travels in Queensland. In a 2013 interview, he described his art as “shifting [his] focus from the universe and cosmos back to earth…in the unseen spirituality”, adding that he is “thinking more about the earth, our surroundings, and the physical world.”

In the midst of Falling Back to Earth is a traditional tea pavilion, which every weekend will be holding tea ceremonies.

And in conjunction with the exhibition, young visitors can learn hands-on about Cai’s work with the chance to create their own exhibition using gunpowder drawing and firework events in ‘Let’s Create an Exhibition with a Boy Named Cai’ at the GOMA Children’s Art Centre. (Free. No entry ticket required).

Throughout the exhibition time there are fascinating scheduled talks and discussions to gain further insights. See website program for details.

*Cai After Hours includes a special guided tour at 6.30pm.