The Warrior Emperor and China’s Terracotta Army

The Warrior Emperor and China’s Terracotta Army set to conquer the ROM from June 26, 2010

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) hosts the Canadian premiere of The Warrior Emperor and China’s Terracotta Army (ROM) from June 26, 2010, prior to the exhibition embarking on a Canadian national tour. The exhibition will be displayed in the Garfield Weston Exhibition Hall on Level B2 of the ROM’s Michael Lee-Chin Crystal to December 2010.

The Warrior Emperor and China’s Terracotta Army showcases one of the most significant archaeological finds in history: the 1974 discovery, in China’s northern Shaanxi province, of thousands of life-sized terracotta sculptures of Chinese warriors. These extraordinary figures,along with countless treasures yet to be uncovered in the elaborate underground tomb complex of China’s First Emperor, were created 2,200 years ago, during the Qin dynasty.

“The ROM is extremely proud to be named organizing museum of this significant national tour and accorded this great sign of respect by the Government of China,” states William Thorsell, the ROM’s Director and CEO. “The Museum’s focus will not solely rest on these remarkable terracotta figures and accompanying objects. Further enriching our visitors’ experiences will be a rich assemblage of engaging and enlightening programming to introduce our visitors to China’s rich cultural legacy. The ROM is thrilled to present this opportunity to our Toronto visitors and audiences across the country.”

Dr. Chen Shen, Senior Curator and Bishop White Chair of Far Eastern Art and Archaeology in the ROM’s World Cultures department is the exhibition’s curator and responsible for developing the content of the Canadian tour. Dr. Shen emphasizes, “This Canadian national tour is a newly developed and contextually different presentation than previous, international displays. The exhibition’s scope makes this the most significant display of the First Emperor’s terracotta army ever showcased in North America. Many of the artifacts displayed during the upcoming Canadian tour have never before left China. In fact, some have not yet been displayed in any museum in China. This is a major triumph for the ROM and its Canadian tour partners.”

The ROM’s engagement of The Warrior Emperor is presented by the Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation. "The Foundation takes great pleasure in joining with the Royal Ontario Museum and the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center to present the premiere Canadian engagement of The Warrior Emperor and China's Terracotta Army,” says Robert H. N. Ho, Founder of the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation. "The Foundation believes that this exhibition will promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of ancient Chinese civilization. It is a fine example of important cross-cultural exchange between museums in China and Canada."

BMO Financial Group is lead sponsor of the exhibition during its ROM engagement. “BMO is proud to be associated with helping bring The Warrior Emperor to the ROM and we look forward to sharing some of China's rich cultural history with Canadians," said Gilles Ouellette, President and CEO, Private Client Group, BMO Financial Group. "BMO has had a longstanding association with China. We were the first Canadian bank to do business in China and understand and appreciate the importance of Canada's relationships with the Chinese people."

THE EXHIBITION AND THE FIRST EMPEROR

Since 1974, archaeologists have unearthed approximately 2,000 full-sized terracotta warriors and horses from three ancient pits. Located near the monumental tomb complex of Qin Shihuangdi, “First Emperor of Qin” (pronounced chin), the terracotta site is only a small component of the largest tomb construction in China. It was the first archaeological site museum in China and remains the largest. As this site continues to be excavated, archaeologists are now using innovative conservation techniques to preserve the fragile colours on these painted warriors. With thousands of full-sized figures yet to be excavated, the terracotta soldiers, in magnificent military formations, are now thought to number nearly 8,000. Often referenced as the eighth wonder of the world, the site was added to the official list of World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1987.

The Warrior Emperor and China’s Terracotta Army features over 250 artifacts, dating to the first millennium BC, including 10 full-sized, complete terracotta sculptures. These statues, depicting a wide range of military and civic personnel, include generals, soldiers, an archer, an acrobat, a cavalryman, and a charioteer. Notably, the exhibition features two of the nine terracotta generals ever recovered from the terracotta pits. All figures are unique, exquisitely executed and accorded a distinct personality.

The ROM’s presentation also includes numerous stellar objects making their North American debut, including a striking wall painting from the Emperor’s Palace; numerous gold objects (among them, currency, pendants, ornaments); a bronze ritual vessel describing the history of a noble family that served the Kings of Zhou in 8th century BC; and a beautifully painted and decorated tomb gate set. Other objects from the site of the First Emperor’s tomb complex include a suit of stone-plaque armour, a stone-plaque helmet, and a life-sized bronze swan. Loaned by 16 of the most important archaeological institutes and museums across Shaanxi Province, nearly thirty per cent of the exhibition’s featured objects have never before traveled outside China.

Highlighting the life, times, and afterlife of the First Emperor of the Qin dynasty, as well as the terracotta soldiers produced during his lifetime, the exhibition explores the figures in a broad historical and social context. Exhibition visitors will learn about China’s rich history during these periods and about the political and social transitions, including the dramatic change from war to peace, that took place during various dynasties. These changes inevitably influenced the form, style and purpose of the terracotta sculptures.

In exploring this important transformation period in early Chinese history, the exhibition follows a chronological sequence of events with a three part storyline. The first section concentrates on The Rise of Qin with a narrative beginning in the 9th century BC. At that time, the Ying family was an unimportant clan serving the Royal Zhou Court. However, as a result of their military prowess and involvement in rescuing the ruling family, the Ying family acquired lands and was granted the title of Duke of Qin. This section features recently excavated figures (not yet displayed in China) as well as the earliest terracotta warriors found anywhere in China. A highlight of this section is a spectacular wall painting from the Emperor’s complex, another piece never before presented outside China. Documented as the First Emperor’s favourite colour, black is dominant in the multi-coloured painting on clay.

The exhibition’s second section The Terracotta Army focuses on the First Emperor’s life and legacy, and the emergence of his Terracotta Army. Ying Zheng ascended the throne of the State of Qin in 246 BC, at the age of 13. In 221 BC, after conquering the last independent Chinese state and ending 500 years of war and state rivalry, Ying Zheng became king of all China. On this unprecedented accomplishment and to demonstrate his power and position, he pronounced himself Qin Shihuangdi, or First Emperor of Qin, in the hope that the Ying family’s rule would continue for thousands of generations. Many of the objects found in this section are from the latest archaeological discoveries in the Emperor’s tomb complex and are considered national treasures of China. They constitute the largest number of full-sized figures, including two life-sized horses, to ever have toured North America.

The third section The Harmonious Han explores the political and social changes that took place with the rise of the Han dynasty (206 BC – AD 221) following the First Emperor’s sudden death in 210 BC. The Han emperors maintained the First Emperor’s administrative policies as well the burial practices of his time. While they, too, buried terracotta figures to administer to them in the afterlife, their size never rivaled that of the sculptures produced during the Qin dynasty. Much smaller and produced in large groupings, the terracotta sculptures of the early Han Dynasty also explored different themes and were far more representative of daily life. An interesting selection of Han terracotta artifacts that were unearthed in the 1990s are presented in this section: multiple-coloured terracotta soldiers, beautiful terracotta ladies and an assortment of farm animals, including pigs, dogs, sheep, goats and chickens. These figures all speak to the period’s relatively peaceful life, a period in which integral Chinese traditions were established that are still reflected in today’s China.

Ying Zheng remains a controversial figure in Chinese history. While his autocratic rule lasted 37 years and was heavily marked by tyranny and bloodshed, he also accomplished much during his reign, such as establishing a strong central government, unifying the law code and standardizing coinage, weights and measures, and starting a national road and canal system. It is, however, the terracotta warriors that constitute the most tangible evidence of Ying Zheng’s legacy. Beginning at age 13 and continuing over his reign, he oversaw approximately 700,000 workers in constructing an enormous mausoleum with life-sized terracotta warriors and other beautiful sculptures. Believed to have been sparked partly by a series of assassination attempts, Ying Zheng felt the complex and its terracotta guardians would protect him in the afterlife. Recent archaeological discoveries indicate that this underground tomb complex is far larger than initially thought and resembles an entire underground palace, complete with royal gardens. After a few decades of fieldwork, it is now known that the terracotta warriors comprise a very small part of an enormous site. More than 180 pits, including those containing the terracotta warriors, are located both inside and outside a double walled enclosure surrounding the tomb mound. In all, more than 500 archaeological components, such as burials, walls and gates, have been identified since the 1970s.

The discovery of the terracotta army in 1974 was only the beginning of great finds at the site. Aspects of the First Emperor’s life are continuously being revealed with archaeological work ongoing to this day. The inclusion of these recent finds in the exhibition emphasizes the site’s ongoing importance to archaeologists and scholars.

THE WARRIOR EMPEROR AND CHINA’S TERRACOTTA ARMY PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Chaired by Dr. Ming Tat Cheung, President and Chair of the Chinese Cultural Centre, The Warrior Emperor Project Advisory Committee has brought together and oversees a diverse group of influential community leaders to assist in advising the Museum on the exhibition, creating partnerships in many communities, and counseling the ROM on exhibition programming.

PROGRAMMING

The ROM's The Warrior Emperor project brings archaeology and culture together with a great emphasis on associated programs for scholars, adults and families, alike. Throughout its engagement, the exhibition will be highlighted by an exceptional lecture series featuring leading authorities from around the world, exploring various aspects of the First Emperor, his remarkable Terracotta Army and the spectacular legacy of ancient China. The Director’s Signature Series’ slate of internationally renowned speakers will also entertain and enlighten. Speakers in this acclaimed program include entertainer Mark Roswell, the most famous Western performer in China; hotelier Isadore Sharp; and teacher, author and doctor Deepak Chopra. In a joint presentation with the Director’s Signature Series, Simon Winchester, noted journalist, broadcaster, and author, will give the keynote address at the Life in the Afterlife Symposium, being held at the ROM on October 14 – 16, 2010. Supported by Mount Pleasant Group and organized by the ROM’s Department of World Cultures and its Department of Museum Volunteers (DMV) to coincide with the exhibition’s engagement, the Symposium will examine numerous topics in conjunction with the terracotta army. Weekends at the Museum will be a time of varied family programming highlighting The Warrior Emperor. Full details on these and numerous other programs are to be announced in the coming months. Information on all The Warrior Emperor programming may be found at www.rom.on.ca/terracottaarmy or by calling 416.586.5797.

OTHER INFORMATION

ROM Members already know that the best way to experience the Museum is through Membership. ROM membership delivers numerous benefits, including free unlimited admission to The Warrior Emperor, eNewsletters, discounts, special offers, a subscription to ROM Magazine, special events and previews, and much more. For additional information or to purchase a membership, visit www.rom.on.ca/members or call 416.586.5700.

Docents from the ROM’s Department of Museum Volunteers (DMV) will conduct guided tours of The Warrior Emperor at regularly appointed times during the exhibition’s engagement in four languages, including English, French, Cantonese, and Mandarin. The DMV’s ROMtravel is offering a trip to China in Fall 2011, of course including a special visit to the Terracotta Army Museum in Xi'an. Additional information is available at travel@rom.on.ca or 416.586.8034.

The ROM is committed to accessibility for all visitors and has developed an Accessibility Strategy outlining the Museum's commitment to removing barriers to participation for its visitors with disabilities. With this in mind, visitors to The Warrior Emperor and China's Terracotta Army will encounter several enhancements in the exhibition, including, but not limited to, captioning on all videos with narration, braille labels to accompany touchable objects, and prominent, large font on numerous graphics. For specific questions or concerns, the ROM can be contacted at 416.586.8000 prior to visiting. For those visitors who are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing, Bell Relay Service can be reached by dialing 711 or 1.800.855.0511.

Information about the exhibition will be available at www.rom.on.ca/terracottaarmy in Chinese, English and French. The site should be visited regularly for the latest information, exhibition tickets, upcoming lectures, recent podcasts, and more. Throughout the exhibition, a number of ROM-produced short videos, captioned in both English and French as well as traditional Chinese, will augment the exhibition’s content. This fascinating footage highlights the terracotta pits, their contents and the remarkable discovery that brought them to the world’s attention. A special boutique within the ROM's exhibition will carry official souvenirs, home décor, jewellery and much more, all inspired by The Warrior Emperor and China's Terracotta Army. A selection of these unique wares will also be available in the ROM Museum Store on Level 1. The official guide to the exhibition will be published in Chinese, English, and French and will be available in the ROM's retail locations, at the admissions kiosks, and in select stores. Both family-friendly Food Studio café and the elegant c5 Restaurant Lounge will acknowledge The Warrior Emperor throughout the exhibition's engagement with fare fit for an Emperor.

Admission to The Warrior Emperor and China’s Terracotta Army is included with paid general admission and timed tickets, with a limited capacity, are available at 30-minute intervals. Adults: $31; Students and Seniors with ID: $28; Children (4 to 14 years) $19.50; Children 3 & under are free. Reduced admission prices apply on Friday nights, presented by SunLife Financial. Visit the website for full details. Groups of 20 or more may call ROM Group Sales at 416.586.5801 or email groupsales@rom.on.ca for information on special rates, private lectures, guided tours and group menus. Ontario school groups should visit www.rom.on.ca/schools/book or call the ROM's Education Department at 416.586.5801 for information on The Warrior Emperor School Visits. Offered at both the elementary and secondary level, the exhibition offers many links to the province’s curriculum.

In conjunction with Toronto Tourism, three fine city hotels, Delta Chelsea, The Fairmont Royal York and Holiday Inn on Bloor Street, offer special The Warrior Emperor packages for visitors to Toronto and the exhibition. From the first week of May, additional information on these hotel packages may be found at www.warrioremperor.com.

THE CANADIAN NATIONAL TOUR

The national tour of Warrior Emperor and China’s Terracotta Army was announced at the ROM on January 27, 2010 in a press conference attended by media and special guests, including The Honourable Michael Chan, Ontario Minister of Tourism and Culture and Madame Zhu Taoying, Consul General of the People's Republic of China. It was confirmed at the event that the Government of China has named the ROM as the Canadian tour’s organizing museum, as well as the exhibition’s premiere venue. The national tour, marking the first time that a full-scale exhibition of the Terracotta Army has appeared in Canada, will encompass four venues across the country. Following the ROM’s engagement, commencing on June 26, 2010, the exhibition is scheduled to travel to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Calgary’s Glenbow Museum and Victoria’s Royal BC Museum.