Frozen in Time

I got a unique opportunity last night. It was a chance to not only get a sneak peak at the National Geographic Society’s latest exhibit, Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor, but also to photograph these pretty amazing artifacts.

The preview only lasted an hour, but this was more than enough time to appreciate the timeless warriors and the other treasures in the exhibit. The exhibit at the National Geographic Museum (17th and M NW) runs from today through March 31, 2010.

The boilerplate: “Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor provides an in-depth look at the enormous tomb complex of Emperor Qin Shihuangdi that contained thousands of terra cotta warriors intended to protect him in the afterlife. The warriors were discovered in 1974 by a group of farmers digging a well near Xi’an in Shaanxi province. When archaeologists began excavating the area, they uncovered a subterranean vault containing fragments of thousands of terra cotta figures in three large pits. More than 1,000 life-size figures have been restored as part of the site’s ongoing excavation.”

Along with the nine terra cotta warriors, two musicians, the strongman, court official, stable attendant and a horse, the exhibit also has bronze animals, stone armor, coins and jade ornaments.

Trust me, it’ll be worth the price of admission. Or, if you’re more frugal-minded, the Terra Cotta Warriors will be open late on Wednesdays (till 9 p.m.) and there will be 200 free, same-day tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis. Line up by 5:30 p.m. for your chance at a free viewing.

And now, on to what you came here for, the pictures. And these pictures are pretty special to me because, although they were allowed last night, cameras won't be allowed into the exhibit. Sorry 'bout that.

One of the emperor's guardians. As big as this picture is, it still doesn't begin to show the detail and precision of the ancient craftsmen who made it.

A chariot, just in case the boss man wanted to go for a drive around the afterlife.

Another of Qin Shihuangdi's men-at arms who, before being rudely dug up, was a chariot driver. Otherwise, that pose would be kind of silly.

The stable attendant. I spent most of my time around this guy, fascinated by its beauty. If you look closely at the horse's mouth, you'll see the artisans even sculpted its teeth. I'm guessing that somewhere there is a stash of terra cotta oats.

The stable boy in profile.

But can he make it drink?

I couldn't quite get all of the horse into this frame...

Like I said, I think it was the detail of the bridle and reins that most amazed me.

That was until I noticed how in the sculpting/casting process, they even remembered to include the hair on this guy.

For those long, everlasting nights in the afterlife, the emperor brought along his own entertainment. But, like many entertainers who hang around too long, they've come to show their age. Kidding, but you can see the level of restoration that's gone into some of the figures.

This guy is known as "The Sitting Musician."

"The Kneeling Musician" and behind him is "The Strongman," who, apparently, wasn't strong enough to keep his head. You can't see it in this picture, but the big fella may have made a trip to Sleepy Hollow.
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Terra cotta statues isn't the only thing the exhibit has to offer.

This piece of jade is about the size of a silver dollar, making those carvings pretty darn impressive.

Even the emperor's trash is interesting. Here we have some defective roof tiles found outside a workshop. Art is where you find it.

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And, finally, because I liked it so much, I call this one "The Horse and His Boy."

Happy trails (and go see the exhibit).

Coincidence? I think not

I went to the newly renovated American History Museum today, (I took the day off to get in just one more day of New Year's celebration). I'm not sure I'm as impressed with it as I was supposed to be after, ya know, a multi-million dollar multi-year renovation.

But it was still not too bad. 

Because, because, because, because, because...

Because of the wonderful Wiz he is...

Perhaps I'm just more of an aficionado of the art at the National Gallery and the Portrait Gallery, rather than our national treasures. Or, should I say, the treasures they have on display at the museum. 

I will, though, admit to marveling for a few moments at the Star Spangled Banner, all ensconced in its dimly lit, but shiny new digs. Although, I was a little annoyed to see the first explanation in the exhibit describe what Francis Scott Key wrote described as a "song." It was a poem first, and wasn't a song until later in the week. 

The Woolworth's lunch counter from Greensboro also moved me deeply as well. The greatest example of what coalesced at that counter will be on display here in D.C. starting the Tuesday after next. That'd be the inaugural for those who can't read a calendar. 

I was inspired by the display of the Axelrod Quartet.  All four instruments in the display were crafted by Antonio Stradivarius and are valued together at $50 million. And they're still played. How cool is that?

In an exhibit near the musical instruments were a uniform worn by Roberto Clemente; Kermit the Frog and Oscar the Grouch; Pat Summit's whistle; Fab Five Freddy's boom box and Grandmaster Flash's turntable. And right there out front were Dorothy's ruby slippers.

Comment overheard from one teen girl to another while looking at the slippers:

Girl 1: She had fat feet.

Girl 2: No she didn't.

I read the card, the slippers are size 5s. If that's her opinion of what fat feet are, I weep for the future. What's more likely is someone with feet considerably larger than Judy Garland has, at some point in the past 80 or so years, attempted to jam their giant dogs into two of the icons of Americana. (Yeah, the movie's that old.)

Anyway, you've read this far so I'll get to the point. 

One other tidbit on the card explained how in the original book Dorothy Gale's slippers were actually silver but, because the red showed up better against the Yellow Brick Road in Technicolor, the editorial change was made.

Huh, never knew that, obviously I haven't read the book. I guess the museum's not that bad after all.

And here's where the weird coincidence enters stage left: Resting comfortably on my DVR is most of season 2 of Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles. I'm trying to get through them but we all know what it's like trying to watch backlogged episodes of shows. But I knuckled down tonight and watched episode 5 "Goodbye to All That." 

In the episode the lovely Lena Headey as Sarah Conner, kidnaps a young boy to protect him from a horrible death sent from the future. While she's protecting him he tells her he has a book report due Monday and it's already Friday and he hasn't even picked out a book yet (you can see where this is going, right?). 

So, the super hot Summer Glau hands him, wait for it, yeah, The Wizard of Oz saying "It was one of John's favorites." The kid tells Sarah his teacher doesn't like them doing reports on books that have been turned into movies and she tells him not to worry, the book is much different than the movie.

"Dorothy's much younger, around your age, and her slippers were made of silver."

What are the odds I would have two ruby/silver slipper references in the same day? Wait a minute, on the other hand, don't answer that one.