In a dual presentation of Chinese art and culture past and present, the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series at the National Gallery of Victoria presents China’s ancient terracotta warriors alongside an exhibition of new works by one of the world’s most exciting contemporary artists, Cai Guo-Qiang.
TERRACOTTA WARRIORS:
GUARDIANS OF IMMORTALITY
Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality is a large-scale presentation of the Qin Emperor’s Terracotta Warriors, which, discovered in 1974 in China’s Shaanxi province, are regarded as one of the greatest archaeological finds of the twentieth century and widely described as the eighth wonder of the world. This presentation features more than 150 exquisite treasures of historic Chinese art and design. From the Qin dynasty (221 – 207 BCE), the exhibition presents eight terracotta warriors alongside two full-sized horses and two replica bronze chariots. Objects lent by leading museums and archaeological sites from across the Shaanxi province include priceless gold, jade and bronze artefacts dating from the Zhou dynasty (1050 – 256 BCE) through to the Han dynasty (207 BCE – 220 CE).
CAI GUO-QIANG:
THE TRANSIENT LANDSCAPE
Cai Guo-Qiang’s multidisciplinary practice is conceptually grounded in contemporary social issues and his lifelong interest in Eastern philosophy as a means to inquire into our relationship with the universe. Exposing traditional Chinese materials, paper, porcelain and silk to gunpowder explosions during a series of live ignitions, Cai Guo-Qiang: The Transient Landscape presents a new body of work inspired by the history, places and culture that served as the backdrop to the reign of China’s first emperor Qin Shihuang, and the creation of the terracotta warriors. Drawing on his understanding of ancient Chinese culture and his belief that a dialogue with tradition and history can invigorate contemporary art, Cai has created a breath taking immersive environment for the presentation of both his work, and Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality.
The Melbourne Winter Masterpieces presentation of Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality and Cai Guo-Qiang: The Transient Landscape will be on display from 24 May 2019 – 13 October 2019 at NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Australia. Tickets and information are available from the NGV website.