Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Sept. 22: A massive fireworks spectacle staged by Chinese contemporary artist Cai Guoqiang in collaboration with outdoor apparel brand Arc’Teryx on the Tibetan Plateau has ignited widespread criticism and environmental concern. The performance, titled “Rising Dragon”, unfolded on September 19 along a high-altitude ridge in Gyangze County, Shigatse (Ch. Xigaze) prefecture, and was streamed widely across Chinese and international platforms.
The display involved thousands of charges arranged to create the image of a dragon ascending the mountainside. Cai, known for his pyrotechnic installations, described the project as a celebration of nature and cultural symbolism. However, the scale and location of the event have drawn fierce backlash, with conservationists, netizens, and commentators questioning its ecological footprint and cultural sensitivity.
Tibet’s high-altitude ecosystem is among the most delicate in the world. Thin soils, slow-growing alpine vegetation, and vulnerable wildlife make the plateau especially susceptible to disruption. Environmental experts have raised concerns that fireworks debris, chemical residues, and smoke could damage pastures, contaminate water sources, and disturb fragile wildlife populations.
Critics also noted that even so-called “biodegradable” materials may not degrade effectively in sub-zero, low-oxygen environments. “Breakdown processes are much slower at high altitude, meaning residues could linger for years,” warned one ecologist quoted in Chinese media.
The spectacle also prompted fears of noise and light pollution disturbing animals and undermining long-standing efforts to protect the Tibetan Plateau, often referred to as the “Third Pole” for its vital role in Asia’s water systems.
The backlash has been especially sharp against Arc’Teryx, a brand long associated with environmental sustainability and outdoor culture. Observers accused the Canadian-founded company of hypocrisy, noting the contradiction between its conservation-oriented image and sponsoring a pyrotechnic show in one of the planet’s most fragile ecosystems.
Cai, whose artistic career often engages with themes of nature, has also come under scrutiny. Critics questioned his choice to treat the Tibetan plateau as a backdrop for spectacle rather than as a landscape requiring stewardship.
In the wake of the uproar, both Arc’Teryx and Cai issued public apologies. The brand admitted that the performance “conflicted with its values” and pledged to engage independent environmental experts to assess the site and oversee restoration efforts if necessary. Cai’s studio similarly apologised, saying it would accept criticism and cooperate fully in remedial measures.
Organisers have claimed that the fireworks materials were environmentally friendly, livestock were relocated, and restoration of the vegetation is planned. However, scepticism remains high, with commentators questioning the thoroughness of pre-event environmental assessments and whether such claims can be independently verified.
