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  • Cai Guo-Qiang discusses his gunpowder drawing with Albert Chao.
    Photo by Jenny Antill
  • Avalokitesva, Chinese, Northern Zhou dynasty (557-581) to Sui dynasty (581-618),carved limestone, gift of T.T. & W.F. Chao Global Foundation in honor of Mr. andMrs. Ting Tsung Chao, with additional funds provided by the Director'sAccessions Fund
  • Ritual Vessel (Zun), Chinese, Shang Dynasty, 12th century B.C., bronze, museumpurchase with funds provided by the Friends of Asian Art

  • Photo by Jenny Antill
  • Photo by Jenny Antill
  • Photo by Jenny Antill
  • Photo by Jenny Antill
  • Photo by Jenny Antill
  • Photo by Jenny Antill
  • Photo by Jenny Antill
  • Photo by Jenny Antill
  • Photo by Jenny Antill
  • Photo by Jenny Antill
  • Photo by Jenny Antill
  • Photo by Jenny Antill
  • Photo by Jenny Antill
  • Photo by Jenny Antill

  • Cai discusses his finished work with his collaborators.
    Photo by Douglas Newman
  • Cai discusses his finished work with his collaborators.
    Photo by Douglas Newman
  • Curator Christine Starkman observes the installed panels.
    Photo by Douglas Newman
  • A crew of MFAH employees performed two test runs of the installation before"Odyssey" was created.
    Photo by Douglas Newman
  • The installation crew places Cai's panels in sequence.
    Photo by Douglas Newman

  • Workers put the stencils in place
    Photo by Everett Taasevigen
  • Cai Guo-Ciang's right hand was covered with gunpowder
    Photo by Everett Taasevigen
  • Chinyan Wong, from left, and Kelly Ma kept the audience entertained through thelong wait
    Photo by Everett Taasevigen
  • Photo by Everett Taasevigen
  • Photo by Everett Taasevigen
  • After the bleachers cleared out, Cai Guo-Qiang was left with his finishedproduct
    Photo by Stephen Newman

  • The crowd packed in for the Cai viewing party.
    Photo by Caroline Gallay
  • Saint Arnold Brewing Company provided a setting that kept the waiting crowd morethan satisfied.
    Photo by Michelle Watson/LastNightPics.com

  • The Cai explosion was dramatic and quick.
    Photo by Everett Taasevigen
  • The smoke filled the Kirby warehouse post blast.
    Photo by Everett Taasevigen
  • Cai hoped to blow something up by 7, but it wasn't till 8 that the panels wereready for ignition.
    Photo by Everett Taasevigen

  • Cai examines a test panel.
    Photo by Everett Taasevigen
  • The artist's crew utilizes stones to keep the paper in place during theignition.
    Photo by Everett Taasevigen
  • An audience previewed Wednesday's blast.
    Photo by Everett Taasevigen
  • Kelly Ma of Cai Studio reveals the results of the test ignition.
    Photo by Everett Taasevigen
  • Cai considers the impression of bamboo on a test panel.
    Photo by Everett Taasevigen

  • Volunteers whisk Cai's stencils across the warehouse.
    Photo by Everett Taasevigen
  • Cai distributes gunpowder to test different effects on Monday morning.
    Photo by Everett Taasevigen
  • Although he originally was transferring his composition from a scroll, Cai'slayout for "Odyssey" has evolved.
    Photo by Everett Taasevigen
  • Cai reports that he's impressed with the volunteers' enthusiasm.
    Photo by Everett Taasevigen

  • Volunteers work in batches.
    Photo by Douglas Newman
  • Cai utilizes one calligraphy brush.
    Photo by Douglas Newman
  • A total of 42 panels will line the gallery.
    Photo by Douglas Newman
  • Only Cai Guo-Qiang himself will ignite the drawings.
    Photo by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders

  • Using suma ink, Cai articulates the naturalistic elements of the drawing.
    Photo by Douglas Newman
  • Cai Guo-Qiang maps the stencils for his gunpowder drawings.
    Photo by Douglas Newman
  • Volunteers collaborate to cut out the shape of Cai's brushstrokes.
    Photo by Douglas Newman
  • The length of the drawing has been described as "vast" and "endless" by both Caiand Starkman.
    Photo by Douglas Newman

  • Volunteers convened on the warehouse bleachers for training.
    Photo by Everett Taasevigen
  • Gallery owner Apama Mackey
    Photo by Everett Taasevigen
  • Judy Nyquist and Lea Weingarten
    Photo by Everett Taasevigen
  • The interior of Cai Guo-Qiang's Houston studio.
    Photo by Everett Taasevigen

  • Cai Guo-Qiang
    Photo by Clifford Pugh
  • The studio contains a small model of the Museum of Fine Arts new Ting Tsung andWei Fong Chao Arts of China Gallery, where Cai's work will be permanentlyinstalled.
    Photo by Clifford Pugh
  • Cai plans a mountain view at the intersection of two walls. It will be reflectedin the granite floor.
    Photo by Clifford Pugh
  • A gunpower drawing of Mao is featured prominently in the studio library
    Photo by Clifford Pugh
  • Cai has been experimenting with gunpowder techniques to achieve the look of apine tree in the forest.
    Photo by Clifford Pugh
  • Cai and his staff take a break every day for a home cooked meal in the kitchenof his New York studio

  • Su Yue-Mei works closely with two of her assistants, Yuen Oi-Ling and Ma Jia.
    Photo by Douglas Newman
  • The bespoke paper arrives at the MFAH in rolls, and must be flattened before itcan be applied to panels.
    Photo by Douglas Newman
  • A temporary laboratory has been assembled in the Caroline Weiss Law building.
    Photo by Douglas Newman
  • The team rolls out the paper under Andy Warhol's watchful gaze.
    Photo by Douglas Newman
  • The paste begins in powder form, to which Su adds heat and water.
    Photo by Douglas Newman
  • As the paste cools, the team thoroughly cleans the panels.
    Photo by Douglas Newman
  • The paper process is painstakingly precise.
    Photo by Douglas Newman
  • Come Thursday, 42 panels will have been completed by Su and her assistants.
    Photo by Douglas Newman