The iconic Centre Pompidou in Paris bid farewell to visitors with a breathtaking fireworks spectacular titled "The Last Carnival" on October 22, 2025, marking the end of an era before the museum's five-year renovation project. The daytime pyrotechnic display, orchestrated by world-renowned Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang in collaboration with mega-gallery White Cube, transformed the museum's famous façade into what organizers called a "monumental painting" using colored gunpowder explosions.

The Centre Pompidou, which has served as a central fixture in the Parisian art scene for decades, officially closed its doors on September 22 for the extensive renovation project. The timing of this farewell event proved particularly significant, as it coincided with Art Basel Paris, considered the pinnacle of the city's annual art season. The spectacular display drew crowds who witnessed the building's transformation into an unprecedented canvas for artistic expression.

Cai Guo-Qiang's performance unfolded in three distinct explosive acts: "The Banquet," "The Dawn of AI," and "The Last Carnival." What made this display particularly groundbreaking was its conception using the artist's custom artificial intelligence model called "cAI," representing what curator Jérôme Neutres described as the Pompidou's forward-looking vision for the future. "For the first time in its history, the Centre Pompidou's façade becomes a monumental painting," Neutres explained. "Cai delivers his most profound and complex work yet, in dialogue with both AI and the Parisian public."

Born in Quanzhou, China, in December 1957, Cai Guo-Qiang has established himself as a versatile artist working across multiple creative mediums, including painting, installation, video art, and performance art. However, he has gained particular international recognition for his mastery of fireworks as an artistic medium, creating spectacular displays that blur the lines between celebration, art, and cultural commentary. His innovative use of gunpowder and pyrotechnics has made him one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary art.

Despite his artistic acclaim, Guo-Qiang's work has frequently generated controversy and public debate. His most recent exhibition at the base of the Himalayas in Tibet sparked intense criticism online from various groups concerned about cultural and environmental issues. Additionally, his 2024 performance as part of the Getty-affiliated Pacific Standard Time initiative in Los Angeles faced serious backlash due to reports of injuries and dangerous falling debris that endangered spectators and nearby residents.

The Los Angeles incident highlighted ongoing concerns about the safety and community impact of Guo-Qiang's explosive performances. According to reports in the Los Angeles Times, residents in the surrounding South Los Angeles neighborhood described their terror during the event, with many believing that bombs were exploding in their area. The thick smoke that drifted into residential streets caused significant distress, forcing residents to close their windows and leading others to believe they were experiencing a genuine emergency situation rather than an art performance.

The Centre Pompidou's farewell fireworks display represents both an ending and a beginning for the institution. As the museum prepares for its ambitious five-year renovation, this AI-enhanced spectacle serves as a bridge between its storied past and its technological future. The collaboration between traditional Chinese pyrotechnic artistry and cutting-edge artificial intelligence embodies the kind of innovative programming that has made the Centre Pompidou a leader in contemporary art presentation since its opening in 1977.