Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang has addressed the reported injuries and distress that stemmed from his daytime fireworks display, WE ARE, that was staged last month at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The event, which took place on September 15, was hosted by the Getty to launch the fourth edition of the sprawling art exhibition PST Art.

At the event, attended by a crowd of 5,000, according to the L.A. Times, rocks the size of quarters fell on the attendees which resulted in two reported injuries. Images captured by bystanders also appear to show one onlooker who’s sweatshirt sustained burn holes from the falling debris. In addition to people being injured, there were multiple complaints regarding the sound the piece produced. 

Last month’s performance has led many to question what went wrong, why weren’t local residents warned ahead of time, and who exactly designed the fireworks display: the pyrotechnics team or the artist?

In the nearby neighborhood in South LA where the event was staged, residents said “they thought bombs were exploding, and the smoke that wafted into their streets unsettled them, forcing some to close windows.” Other people who were unaware of the fireworks also thought this was a potentially an emergency situation. 

Scattered debris after Cai Guo-Qiang: WE ARE daytime fireworks at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. Photo: Min Chen.

Speaking to the LA Times Cai said he was “deeply uneasy and apologetic,” in regards to the sounds the performance produced. 

“It was certainly loud. We regret that some neighbors and attendees were disturbed by the sound. The Coliseum followed its normal process for events held at the stadium and notified municipal partners,” a spokesperson for the Getty told LA Times.

“Unexpected gusts of wind” seems to be a working theory that resulted in debris falling on the crowd “since fireworks were launched 360 degrees around the audience,” the artist said. “Additionally, the stadium’s bowl-like structure might have amplified the sound.”

He also noted that the winds that day may have contributed to what went wrong, noting that he “relied on his pyrotechnics contractor to stage the show safely.”

Cai Guo-Qiang: WE ARE at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. Photo: Min Chen.

Guo-Qiang’s latest commission was a fusion of A.I. and pyrotechnics, and consisted of 10,000 computer fireworks, 2,000 drones, and 3,164 bamboo sticks. 

The Rialto-based company Pyro Spectaculars by Souza, was contracted by the artist for this site-specific work.“The fireworks company I hired to realize the show has executed hundreds of fireworks displays at this stadium and its surroundings and is highly experienced,” Cai said. “It worked closely with relevant agencies. My studio and I adhered to the fireworks company’s professional guidance and requirements at every stage of the process.”

The incident is actively being investigated by the Office of the State Fire Marshal in California for any “injury or malfunction involving fireworks.”