"A fireworks display held by Cai Guo-Qiang in the foothills of the Himalayas earlier this month has sparked protests at London's White Cube gallery, which represents the Chinese artist. A coalition of UK-based groups, including Tibetan Community in Britain and Free Tibet, gathered at the Bermondsey gallery last Thursday to strongly condemn Guo-Qiang's "cultural violence" ahead of an exhibition of his works."
"The fireworks display, which took place on 19 September and was entitled Ascending Dragon, was met with a barrage of criticism from residents and online commentators concerned about the impact of the display on the region's delicate ecology. According to the coalition of protestors, explosive displays have a permanent impact on the fragile high-altitude ecosystem in the Himalayas, polluting water sources, disturbing wildlife, and accelerating glacial melt."
"Cai Guo-Qiang has committed an act of cultural violence that is ethically indefensible; an act that now renders his London show highly controversial."
"We call on White Cube to publicly acknowledge the profound controversy that now surrounds the artist due to his actions in Tibet, and we urge them to reconsider providing a platform for work that aligns with the systematic destruction of Tibetan culture."
Cai Guo-Qiang staged a fireworks display titled Ascending Dragon in the Himalayan foothills on 19 September, igniting protests at London's White Cube gallery that represents him. A UK coalition including Tibetan Community in Britain and Free Tibet condemned the event as 'cultural violence' and urged the gallery to reconsider exhibiting his work. Protesters and residents raised ecological concerns about 1,050 firework units ignited at high altitude, citing pollution of water sources, disturbance of wildlife, and accelerated glacial melt. The mountains used are sacred to many Tibetans, and critics questioned how the project received approval given China's control of the region.
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