Cai Guo-Qiang stages farewell fireworks on Centre Pompidou facade

Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang transformed the iconic facade of Paris's Centre Pompidou into a monumental canvas this evening, staging a spectacular daytime fireworks display titled "Le Dernier Carnaval" (The Last Carnival) to mark the museum's closure for a five-year renovation.artnews+2

The 20-minute performance, featuring approximately seven minutes of fireworks accompanied by colored smoke and light effects, drew thousands of spectators to Place Georges-Pompidou at 5:30 PM. Created in collaboration with Cai's custom artificial intelligence model cAI™, the pyrotechnic spectacle unfolded in three acts: "The Banquet," "The Dawn of AI," and "The Last Carnival".sortiraparis+3

Historic Farewell Performance

"For the first time in its history, the Centre Pompidou's facade becomes a monumental painting," said curator Jérôme Neutres. "Cai delivers his most profound and complex work yet, in dialogue with both AI and the Parisian public."centrepompidou+1

The performance coincided with Art Basel Paris, the premier gathering of the international art world taking place at the Grand Palais through October 26. The timing strategically positioned the farewell event during Paris's most significant contemporary art week, when collectors, curators, and art enthusiasts converge on the French capital.sortiraparis+2

Cai's fireworks were specifically designed to respond to the Centre Pompidou's distinctive industrial architecture, with explosions aligning with the building's horizontal grids and cantilevered walkways. The colored pigments and smoke drifted through the building's transparent facade, momentarily transforming how daylight filtered into the plaza.designboom

Revolutionary Closure and Renovation

The Centre Pompidou shuttered its doors on September 22 for an unprecedented five-year transformation project led by architectural firms Moreau Kusunoki and Frida Escobedo Studio. The renovation addresses critical infrastructure needs including complete asbestos removal, structural repairs, and energy efficiency improvements while reimagining visitor circulation and exhibition spaces.parisjetaime+2

Originally opened in 1977, the building designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers was initially met with mixed reactions, with locals dubbing it "Our Lady of the Pipes". Now recognized as one of Paris's most iconic cultural landmarks, the museum houses Europe's largest collection of modern and contemporary art.nytimes+1

During the closure, the Centre Pompidou will continue operations through its "Constellation" program, displaying collections at partner venues across France and internationally. A new facility, Centre Pompidou Francilien, is scheduled to open in Massy in fall 2026.centrepompidou+1

The museum plans to reopen in 2030 as a more accessible and environmentally sustainable institution, reconnecting with its original utopian vision as a multidisciplinary cultural center.archdaily+1