Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang’s recent firework performance staged in Tibet’s Shigatse region has sparked public concern and drawn widespread criticism over its impact on the plateau’s fragile ecosystem, prompting a local government investigation in China.

The performance, titled Ascending Dragon and sponsored by the outdoor apparel brand Arc’teryx, ignited 1,050 firework units over 52 seconds on September 19 at altitudes of 4,500 to 5,500 meters in the Himalayan foothills. Debates escalated on social media after videos of the event circulated online. Despite Cai’s claim of using only biodegradable colored powders, concerns were raised regarding the potential impacts on soil, water, and local food chains.

On September 21, Cai issued an apology and pledged to work with local authorities and third-party agencies on environmental assessments and remediation. Arc’teryx also published statements on Instagram and Weibo, acknowledging that the performance “was out of line with Arc’teryx’s values.”

Last year, the artist faced criticism over a disastrous fireworks commission for the PST Art festival in southern California, during which coin-sized rubble rained onto the crowd, injuring at least two people.

The Shigatse party committee and government have dispatched an investigation team to assess the situation. On September 22, CCTV reported that environmental experts on site were removing debris and conducting ecological restoration, noting the fireworks had impacted the local landscape, though the affected area was limited. 

Yuqian Fan is an editorial intern at ArtAsiaPacific.