Date: Fri 10-Sep-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: JUDIR

Full Text:

National Gallery Of Art Exhibits Golden Age Of Chinese Archeology

(with 2 cuts)

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- "The Golden Age of Chinese Archaeology: Celebrated

Discoveries from The People's Republic of China," a landmark exhibition of the

most important archaeological discoveries of the region from the last 40

years, will be on view at the National Gallery of Art, East Building,

September 19 through January 2. This survey will provide a unique opportunity

to see masterpieces dating from 5000 BC to the Tenth Century AD (the Neolithic

through the Early Imperial periods).

More than 175 works presented in the show were excavated from archaeological

sites since 1955, including almost 100 objects discovered in the 1980s and

1990s alone. Many were found in tombs and were probably created for use during

the lifetime of the deceased as well as for the afterlife. Representing the

earliest and best for each medium or type, many have never before been shown

in the United States or outside of China.

"The works exhibited here represent great achievements in Chinese archaeology.

The study of these works has made possible the reconstruction in far greater

detail than ever before the cultural meaning of ancient works of art in their

own time," said Earl A. Powell III, director, National Gallery of Art. "We are

extremely grateful to Eastman Kodak Company for its generous support of the

exhibition."

"The Golden Age of Chinese Archaeology" is a sequel to the exhibition of

archaeological finds from China shown at the National Gallery of Art in 1974.

The current exhibition, which encompasses a great range of ancient Chinese

cultures, shows that Chinese civilization and art did not originate at a

specific time or place, as previously believed, but developed from the

interaction and assimilation among various cultures that flourished

concurrently all over China.

Recent archaeological discoveries in the exhibition include sculpture, ritual

objects, furniture, coffins, textiles and decorative objects made of clay,

jade, stone, bamboo, ivory, lacquer, gold, silver, bronze, glass and silk.

"Late Prehistoric China" (circa 5000-2000 BC) shows works from several

cultures including painted pottery and jade ritual objects and ornaments.

Among works in "Bronze Age China" (circa 2000-711 BC) are stylized human

figures, which were buried for reasons unknown, and oracle bones inscribed

with divinations for the ruler. "Chu and Other Cultures" (circa 770-221 BC)

includes hand-embroidered textiles, with their colors remarkably vivid even

after more than 2,000 years; mysterious lacquer monsters decorated with

antlers; and a chime of 26 ritual bells, with a range of almost five octaves.

Along with other works of art, "Early Imperial China" (221 BC-924 AD) features

terra-cotta soldiers from the First Emperor's tomb; two jade burial suits for

royalty, Buddhist sculpture with much of its original paint and gilding; and

an elegant pair of painted marble reliefs of an orchestra and attendants.

The guest curator for the exhibition is Dr Xiaoneng Yang, curator of Chinese

art at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, who has worked closely

with scholars and archaeologists in China to select the works of art included

in the exhibition.

The exhibition is organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, and

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, in cooperation with the State

Administration of Cultural Heritage and Art Exhibitions China, The People's

Republic of China.

The National Gallery of Art is located on the National Mall at Fourth Street

and Constitution Avenue, NW. Hours are Monday through Saturday, from 10 am to

5 pm and Sunday, from 11 am to 6 pm. For general information, 202/737-4215.