This CNN piece on artist Cai Guo-Qiang forces me to be judgmental (yeah, me):

The Chinese artist is about to show the world what he can do with a spectacular pyrotechnics display at the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Despite not having lived in China since 1986, Cai has been selected to be the Director of Visual and Special Effects for both the opening and closing ceremonies at the Games.

I was in New York last February and saw Cai’s exhibit at the Guggenheim. I have respect for contemporary art, but there are limits. A bunch of stuffed tigers with arrows sticking out of them just doesn’t do it for me, not to mention an automobile suspended in the air with arrows sticking out of that. Nice theme.

Call me boorish, but the exhibit never went anywhere for me after the stuffed tigers. The written diatribes about extra-terrestrials seemed like the product of a deranged mind (or perhaps Chris Carter), and this was somewhat amusing, but I don’t think it was meant to be.

I can see why this sort of thing gets you a gig with the Olympics, or the Guggenheim for that matter. No, I’m being sarcastic, as usual. I am completely clueless on this one. Someone please explain what I’m missing here.