Terracotta Warriors

by James D., The student magazine of Victoria University, Wellington. Mon, 23 Mar 2009.

The Terracotta Warriors of Qin exhibition was originally set to have been shipped off by now; instead, it has been extended to mid-April. Well publicised, held on the first floor of St James Theatre and charging a $10 entrance fee, this exhibition has obviously been promoted as not only a display of art, but an event in itself. The exhibition’s slogan ‘If you can’t travel to China… visit this amazing display’ highlights the organisers’ approach; to use these artefacts to bring before the viewer a recreation of their original context and excavation.

Indeed, the exhibition lies at the juncture of art and archaeological discovery. It is based on the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang Di (who commissioned the Great wall) and his quest for immortality. His tomb was filled with treasures and over 8000 life-size clay warriors to protect him in the after-life. Two farmers discovered these whilst trying to dig a well during a drought, an occurrence now being paraded as the archaeological discovery of the 20th century.

The display in Wellington does not contain the original artefacts, but exact replicas, divided into three main showrooms by shrouds of red fabric. The first room displays cabinets of tomb artefacts, including coins and tomb guardians, as well as five warriors that have been painted to replicate the original lacquer that shrunk and cracked as the result of sudden exposure to humidity and light when unearthed. The second room recreates the fragments of tombs as they were actually discovered.

It is the third room, however, that really warrants the payment of the entrance fee. An astounding display of terracotta warriors, 53 in total, are lined up in various positions; some crouching and others in fighting stance. Whilst these are not the originals, which cannot leave China, each warrior has been handmade at the Xian Museum, each unique in size, shape and uniform. Also included is the clay chariot pulled by four horses, cabinets of weapons and a Jade suit of armour sewn with copper thread.

This exhibition, which elicited crowds of 850,000 in the UK exhibition, is undoubtedly remarkable. At times, one does suspend belief in the exhibition’s authenticity, such as when one notices the gift store and the promoted DVDs. For the most part however, the exhibition does manage to convey something of a civilization distant both geographically and temporally. More impressively, this exhibition presents the opportunity to view intricate and large-scale artworks that were, after all, even in Xian, never actually meant to be seen.

The Terracotta Warriors of Qin come to Wellington

Source: Positively Wellington Tourism    Date: 28 Jan 2009

The Terracotta Warriors of Qin recreates the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ - a discovery unearthed in the 1970s. Excavations revealed a fully equipped Terracotta Army; incredibly detailed life-size figures, guarding the tomb of China’s First Emperor.

The exhibition at the St James Theatre in Wellington features a spectacular display of more than 60 of the famed Terracotta Warriors of Qin, made by professional artisans from the home of the original museum in Xi’an, China.

If you have clients visiting Wellington, make sure they check out this exciting exhibition. It runs until 13th April 2009.

Terracotta Warriors of Qin

Date(s):14 January 2009 - 12 April 2009    Venue:St James    Source: St James Theatre Wellington & eventfinder.co.nz

The Terracotta Warriors of Qin exhibition recreates the 'eighth wonder of the world' - an accidental discovery unearthed in the 1970s. Excavations revealed 8,000 incredibly detailed, life-size figures lined up in battle formation; a fully equipped Terracotta Army, guarding the tomb of China's First Emperor.

The exhibition features a spectacular display of more than 60 of the famed Terracotta Warriors of Qin, made by professional artisans from the home of the original museum in Xi'an, China. There are also five specially painted figures that show exactly how the Terracotta Warriors of Qin looked in their original colours when they were buried 2,200 years ago.

Recreating China's buried treasures, this private collection is a mix of authentic museum pieces and reproductions. Hundreds of weapons from the Qin Dynasty (pre-206 BC) including swords, arrows and axes will be on display, along with rare bronze and jade works of art from the time, Qin burial objects and ancient coins.

If you can't travel to China to marvel at the treasures from the tomb of China's First Emperor, then you must visit this amazing display of life-size Terracotta Warriors of Qin here in Wellington.

Open: Daily (closed on Good Friday)
Times: Mon - Sun, 10am to 5.30pm
Venue: First Floor Gallery, St James Theatre, Wellington


Win A Trip To China!
* Every visitor goes intodraw to win a return economy trip for two from Auckland orChristchurch to Hong Kong or Shanghai with Singapore Airlines.

Special Conditions
Subject to seat availability
Does not include transfers or internal domestic flights
Does not include accommodation
No insurance cover included

Terracotta Warriors of Qin Exhibition Extended for Two Weeks

Source: SKYCITY AUCKLAND    Date: 05 Feb 2008

The magnificent Terracotta Warriors of Qin exhibition at SKYCITY Theatre has been extended for two weeks to 24 February.

This may be your only chance to marvel at treasures from the tomb of the First Emperor and more than 60 life-size Terracotta Warriors, cavalryman and horse, themselves a spectacular recreation of the treasures discovered in 1974 by farmers near Xi’an, China.

Stunning artefacts including cowry shell coins dating back to Neolithic times, jade works of art, and bronze and jade objects from Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) tombs are protected by the awe inspiring army.

Taking centre stage is the remarkable Imperial dragon, carved from a solid block of green jade in 220 BC, and a First Emperor dragon vessel of imperial white jade with a dragon’s head as its base.

More than 300 weapons from the Warring States Period and Qin Dynasty (476 to 206 BC), daggers, crossbows and spears are also on show in what is believed to be the largest collection of its kinds outside of China, with visitors admiring the incredible detail and craftsmanship of these superior works of art in their own right.

A hostess, attired in dress of the times, is at the exhibition to answer visitors’ questions, and video presentations explore the discovery of the warriors, how the replicas were made, and the history of the weapons.

Photography is permitted, and most visitors have their photo taken in formation with the warriors or next to the magnificent bronze statue of the First Emperor himself.

The Terracotta Warriors of Qin exhibition is at SKYCITY Theatre until February 24, open daily 10.00am to 6.00pm.

Tickets cost $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for children (under 15 years), $40.00 per family (2 adults, 2 children), $12.00 for groups (10 plus people).

Tickets are available from Ticketek at www.ticketek.co.nz or phone 0800 842 538.

For more on the exhibition and images visit www.terracottawarriors.co.nz