Cai Guo-Qiang To Build A Ship Nara, Japan March - October, 2016 Role: Producer & Project Manager, Cai Guo-Qiang Studio Commissioned by the Nara City Government of Japan to celebrate the city’s designation as the 2016 Culture City of East Asia, artist Cai Guo-Qiang created an outdoor performance installation titled To Build A Ship. Set against the backdrop of the ancient Todai-ji Temple, a team of Chinese shipbuilders constructed a traditional East Asian "Fu" boat using wood from China. The boat measured 13 meters in length, 3.2 meters in width, and 9.9 meters in mast height. The construction took place over 20 days, with the entire process open to the public. Once completed, the boat was floated in the center of the pond and continued to be displayed. Todai-ji Temple is one of Japan's most significant early Buddhist sites. During the Tang Dynasty, the eminent monk Jianzhen (known in Japan as Ganjin) established the Buddhist altar at Todai-ji, significantly advancing the promotion of Buddhism and Sino-Japanese cultural exchange. By inviting Chinese shipbuilders to Japan to use traditional techniques for this public art installation, Cai Guo-Qiang highlights a historical cross-cultural connection and encourages reflection on the current dynamics among East Asian countries.