Melbourne, May 29, 2019-as a dual display of Chinese art and culture from ancient times to the present, the Melbourne Winter masterpiece exhibition series in NGV shows the ancient Chinese terracotta warriors and horses, as well as one of the most anticipated contemporary artists in the world, Cai Guoqiang`s new works, which began on May 24, 2019 and officially opened at the NGV International Museum.
Planned and developed by NGV, Terracotta Warriors and horses: immortal Guards is a large display of Qin Shihuang`s terracotta warriors discovered in Shaanxi Province, China in 1974. the terracotta warriors are considered to be one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the 20th century and widely known as the eighth wonder of the world. The exhibition features eight terracotta warriors and two tall Qin horses, as well as two half-sized bronze chariots.
Along with these terracotta warriors are more than 150 precious ancient relics from the top museums and archaeological sites in Shanxi Province, which are of great significance in the history of Chinese art and design. Such an exhibition, which is unprecedented in Australia, includes valuable gold, jade and bronze handicrafts unearthed from the Western Zhou Dynasty to the Han Dynasty (1046 BC-220 AD). Therefore, under the background of telling about the history of China for more than a thousand years, the exhibition shows the brilliance and authority of the heavily buried royal figures, and reveals the complexity of Chinese civilization in the period of formation through the exquisite display of buried objects and cultural relics.
Cai Guoqiang`s installation map of Bird Cloud, completed in Dehua and Melbourne, Fujian Province in 2019, was commissioned by NGV. Acquired by Ying Zhang with the Asia Australia Foundation, the 2019 NGV Foundation Annual meeting and the 2019 NGV Annual meeting, to be displayed at the NGV International Pavilion
At the same time, there is Cai Guoqiang: instantaneous Landscape, which is a concentrated display of the latest works of international contemporary artist Cai Guoqiang, inspired by Chinese culture and a long philosophical tradition. Outstanding works for the exhibition include a giant art installation, the Bird Cloud, which hangs 10,000 porcelain birds in the air. The birds hovered over the tourists, creating a three-dimensional view of the sacred Lishan ink painting. Lishan is the site of the tomb of Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of China, and his terracotta warriors.
Cai Guoqiang extracted his deep understanding of Chinese classical culture, adhered to the belief that the dialogue between tradition and history can inspire the creation of contemporary art, and created a ceramic sculpture in the form of peony. < Flower moment I > (Transience I (Peony), was placed in the center of the 360 degree gunpowder painting < Flower moment II > (Transience II (Peony). Both works were created in Melbourne.
Tony Elwood, curator of NGV
Tony Elwood (Tony Ellwood), director of NGV, said: "36 years ago, in 1982, the Victoria National Art Museum held the first overseas exhibition of ancient Chinese terracotta warriors, just a few years after the terracotta warriors were discovered. History will repeat itself in 2019, and Qin Shihuang`s terracotta warriors and horses will return to NGV-- again at the Melbourne Winter Masterpiece 2019, where they will have a well-designed conversation with Cai Guoqiang, one of China`s most prestigious contemporary artists. "
Cai Guoqiang
For this parallel display, Cai Guoqiang said: "they are two time rivers separated by 2000, they are in a series of spaces, creating dialogue at their respective rhythms. Ancient and contemporary-two surging energy crisscross, traction, influence and complement each other, forming a strong tension and contrast, attracting each other and resisting each other."
Xu Jun, founder and managing director of Shengshi Group
Xu Jun (Jeff Xu), founder and managing director of Shengshi Group (Golden Age Group), said: "this exhibition will inspire audiences from Australia and from all over the world to gain a deeper understanding of the rich and diverse aspects of China`s cultural heritage. As a major partner, Shengshi Group is pleased to support Victoria in showing the world such a visionary, ambitious and original exhibition, and we have been doing our part and responsibility to Melbourne as a cultural capital. We believe that the exhibition will leave a permanent contribution to the city in the coming decades. "
The joint exhibition was organized by Melbourne Victoria National Art Museum, Shaanxi Provincial Bureau of Antiquities, Shaanxi Museum of History, Shaanxi Cultural relics Exchange Center and Qin Shihuang Mausoleum Museum.
Terracotta Warriors and horses: immortal Guardian and Cai Guoqiang: instantaneous Landscape will be on display at NGV International Pavilion, Australia, from May 24 to October 13, 2019.
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