As June comes to a close, actor and model Kiko Mizuhara finds her way to the beaches of Iwaki in the Fukushima prefecture, Japan to witness the unveiling of “When the Sky Blooms with Sakura”, a spectacular daytime fireworks display from artist Cai Guo-Qiang, one that was specially commissioned by Anthony Vaccarello for Saint Laurent.

Images: Courtesy of Saint Laurent & Kiko Mizuhara

The “When The Sky Blooms With Sakura” daytime fireworks by Cai Guo-Qiang, in Iwaki, Japan. Image: Saint Laurent.

The epic display was followed a couple of days later by the official opening of “Ramble In The Cosmos – From Primeval Fireball Onward”, a solo exhibition featuring works by Cai Guo-Qiang, co-organised by the National Art Centre Tokyo and Saint Laurent.

Kiko Mizuhara watching the “When The Sky Blooms With Sakura” fireworks display in Iwaki, Japan.

BAZAAR finds time to sit down with Kiko Mizuhara, herself a Saint Laurent ambassador, as she waxes lyrical about Cai’s extraordinary works, and keeps us updated on what she has in store for the near future.

Kiko Mizuhara chatting with artist Cai Guo-Qiang.

When you were told that you’d be here to see “daylight fireworks”, did you have a rough idea of what that was going to look like?

Actually, two years ago, (a magazine) asked me about the kind of experience I’d want to have that I can’t buy, and my answer was I want to watch Cai Guo-Qiang’s fireworks. So when Saint Laurent told me about the [“When The Sky Blooms With Sakura”] event, I thought, ‘That’s wild!’ because I had literally said it out loud just two years back. It’s actually really rare to be able to see Cai’s fireworks live, it happens only once in a while. And for this to happen in Japan, I was thinking it was literally a dream come true. 

Cai Guo-Qiang (left) sharing a moment with Kiko Mizuhara & Tadashige Shiga.

What are your thoughts on Cai Guo-Qiang’s “When The Sky Blooms With Sakura”? Did you have an emotional reaction to it?

I was speechless because this specific firework that he did in Iwaki … I didn’t know that he had a close relationship with the local people in Iwaki. I just learned that he had lived there for a while [from 1988 to 1995] and met Shiga-san [Mr. Tadashige Shiga, now head of the Executive Committee for Cai Guo-Qiang] who became his soul mate. They started working together, with the people of Iwaki including Shiga-san’s wife helping Cai with his various artworks, putting gunpowder into the tubes, experimenting with all kinds of materials …

Kiko at the “Ramble In The Cosmos – From Primeval Fireball Onward” exhibition.

Then the 2011 Japan earthquake [and resulting tsunami and nuclear meltdown] hit and thousands of lives were lost including those in Iwaki. This firework display was to commemorate that incident. So when I was watching it from the beach, I felt a myriad of emotions. But mostly I was really happy to see how art can be part of the healing process. Also, while he was showcasing the firework, Cai would go back to the microphone to interact with the kids at the event, asking them if they were enjoying themselves. That made me feel warm inside.

When you only look at photos or see his art in museums—which is still amazing—you’re only getting half of the experience. Because seeing the fireworks firsthand is just something else. I  really saw the warmth and really felt the beauty and the heart of the artwork. I felt really proud to be part of this. And I’m so happy to be an ambassador for Saint Laurent, that such a big brand (like them) is doing something like this, supporting the arts. It makes me really thankful and hopeful. 

Which other artists inspire you?

I have quite a few but one artist I can say is Olafur Eliasson. He’s Icelandic. He does a lot of exhibitions that are about the environment. He did one in Japan a couple of years ago, and it was really inspiring. I always look out for his work.

How is Saint Laurent representative of your personal style? 

I started working with Saint Laurent and went to their previous Paris Fashion Week presentation. And there, it really made me understand what Saint Laurent stands for. They are very independent, and all about creativity and being edgy. It made me feel really comfortable working with them. I just felt like I could actually be myself. And they actually appreciate me being myself. I really feel that Saint Laurent is for women. Independent women, powerful women. When I wear Saint Laurent, I just feel really powerful and strong. They’re not just about beauty and glamour. There is a substance and strength to the Saint Laurent woman. 

Kiko Mizuhara dressed in Saint Laurent at Cai Guo-Qiang’s solo exhibition.

What do you have in store for us in the near future?

First of all, I’m moving to Los Angeles this year, maybe in the fall. So I’m really excited about that. My next movie is coming out in April of next year. I shot it last year in Japan. It’s a sci-fi horror film. Sayaka Kai, this upcoming film director, shot it and I really love her style. She’s amazing, and it was just a pleasure to work with her. So I’m really excited about that movie.

Also, I’m releasing my own cosmetics brand, hopefully beginning of next year. It’s going to be not just cosmetics but also a lifestyle brand. All the ingredients are from Japan—it’s going to be organic, and everything is eco-friendly. The brand is called Kiiks. So I want you guys to look forward to that!