Explosion artist Cai Guo-Qiang has “what every artist is looking for: a signature form,” says art critic Ben Davis in the documentary Sky Ladder, which premiered at Sundance earlier this year. The film follows Guo-Qiang’s childhood and international career, culminating in his most ambitious project: Sky Ladder, a mammoth fireworks display in the form of a ladder reaching to the clouds – an endeavor that took four attempts and more than twenty years to accomplish. On 13 October, to celebrate the documentary’s Netflix debut, Sotheby’s invited guests to a private reception and screening hosted by Samantha Boardman, Aby Rosen, Tad Smith and executive producer Bennett Miller. After the film, Guo-Qiang was joined by Miller and the film’s producer Wendi Murdoch for a Q&A. “I feel I never really grew up,” explained the artist on what the documentary taught him about himself. “I’m still the same boy who dreamed about seeing the stars and touching the clouds.” –Stephanie Sporn
