Egypt, Gift of the Nile: Ancient Egyptian Art and Architecture
toliver
Egypt, Gift of the Nile: Ancient Egyptian Art and Architecture
from the University of Pennsylvania Museum
Oct. 15, 1998-Jan. 10, 1998
SEATTLE—As the world’s longest river, the Nile—with its annual rhythm of
flooding—helped establish humankind’s longest-lived civilization. For more
than 30 centuries, Egyptians along the Nile strove to make order of the
natural world through their art, architecture, religion and lifestyle.
This fall, some 140 works demonstrating this rich landscape and culture will
be on view at the Seattle Art Museum in Egypt, Gift of the Nile: Ancient
Egyptian Art and Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania Museum.
The exhibition, which was organized by the University of Pennsylvania Museum
of Archaeology and Anthropology in conjunction with the Dallas Museum of
Art, will be on view in the Special Exhibition Galleries Oct. 15, 1998,
through Jan. 10, 1999.
"We haven’t had an Egyptian exhibition in Seattle since Tutankhamun visited
in 1978," says Pam McClusky, Seattle Art Museum curator of art of Africa and
Oceania. "This exhibition provides another chance to step back thousands of
years to consider what ancient artists and scribes have to teach us."
Egypt, Gift of the Nile reveals the treasures of more than a century of
archeological excavations by the University of Pennsylvania, and includes
objects dating from the fourth millenium BC to the Greco-Roman period. Over
the years, University of Pennsylvania archaeologists have worked with such
important monuments as the palace of King Merenptah—the only excavated
ancient Egyptian royal palace on view anywhere—and the massive
4,300-year-old funerary chapel honoring the nobleman Kaipura, which recently
was conserved and forms the architectural centerpiece of the exhibition.
The exhibition provides a well-rounded picture of ancient Egyptian culture
through details about their daily life and insights into the beliefs that
compelled them to build for eternity. In Seattle, the art will be arranged
in four galleries, each simulating an ancient setting: a noble’s home, a
Pharaoh’s palace, a temple for the gods and a tomb for eternal life.
Visitors to the exhibition will see first-hand the timeless works of art
that are the fruits of amazing archeological excavations: royal portraits,
coffins covered with hieroglyphics, mummy masks, sculptures of distinguished
Egyptians, mirrors, jewelry and wine jars used in everyday life.
One of the exhibition’s highlights, the tomb chapel named for the official
Kaipura, shows Kaipura sitting before a table laden with offering including
wine, cosmetics, food and clothing. The display shows what Egyptians 4,300
years ago thought was needed to thrive in a prosperous afterlife.
Egypt, Gift of the Nile: Ancient Egyptian Art and Architecture from the
University of Pennsylvania Museum was on view at the Dallas Museum of Art
and the Denver Museum of Art and the Denver Museum before its presentation
in Seattle. The accompanying catalog, designed by Marquand Publishers in
Seattle, includes essays by world-renowned Egyptologists. The catalog
currently is available in the museum stores for $35.
All visitors to Egypt, Gift of the Nile receive a random access CD-ROM audio
guide to use in the gallery. Seattle Art Museum members receive free
admission. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors 62 and over and
children 12 and under. Children six and under are admitted free of charge.
Related Exhibition:
Is Egyptian Art African?
In this exhibition, on view in the Third Floor African Art galleries,
Seattle Art Museum visitors are invited to compare ancient Egyptian deities
to sub-Saharan masqueraders and to view examples of personal adornment,
posture and diving kingship that are shared over different parts of the
continent. Claims for and against the African-ness of Egyptian art will be
provided for visitors to evaluate.
This exhibition was organized by the University of Pennsylvania Museum of
Archaeology and Anthropology and the Dallas Museum of Art. In Seattle (as
of July 1, 1998): Presenting Sponsors: The Seattle Times, Seafirst Bank;
Museum Sponsor: Seattle Arts Commission; Exhibition Sponsor: PONCHO (Patrons
of Northwest Civic, Cultural and Charitable Organizations).
Seattle Art Museum, at 100 University St., downtown Seattle, is open Tuesday
through Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free Thursday s
generously sponsored by the Boeing Co. and the Janet W. Ketcham Endowment
Fund. Media support by KPLU 88.5 FM. For recorded information, call (206)
654-3100 or visit the Seattle Art Museum website at
http://www.seattleartmuseum.org .
-30-
ameno...@my-dejanews.com
"toliver" <tol...@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
> Treasures From Excavations In Egypt Travel to Seattle Art Museum
>
> Egypt, Gift of the Nile: Ancient Egyptian Art and Architecture
> from the University of Pennsylvania Museum
> Oct. 15, 1998-Jan. 10, 1998
>
>
> In this exhibition, on view in the Third Floor African Art galleries,
> Seattle Art Museum visitors are invited to compare ancient Egyptian deities
> to sub-Saharan masqueraders and to view examples of personal adornment,
> posture and diving kingship that are shared over different parts of the
> continent. Claims for and against the African-ness of Egyptian art will be
> provided for visitors to evaluate.
**THANK YOU and I'll be there!
AMENOPHIS X, Afrikologist
@my-dejanews.com
Member, American Research Center of Egypt - Study of Afrikology
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