What Are Terracotta Soldiers?
The Chinese Terracotta Army is a collection of 8,099 life sized terra cotta soldiers made by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huangdi, who reigned from 247 BC to 221 BC. He was also the same dude that built the Great Wall to keep the Mongolians out. We believe that the Terracotta Army was meant to protect Qin Shi Huangdi eternally, from the Mongolians. We never figured out why he was so scared of the Mongolions.
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What Is So Special About These Terracotta Soldiers?
The Terracotta Army was discovered recently in 1974 near Chinas Shaanxi province in Xian by a local farmer. We even met the guy and have his signature to prove it! Anyways, it is estimated that more than 700,000 workers labored for 36 years to complete this Army. Other than soldiers, there were also figures of women, children, and even acrobats. Since each figure had distinct features from one another, it is suggested that real people modeled for each and every Terracotta figure. Although we highly doubt they were paid as much as our Super Models today.
These Terracotta Soldiers are often referred to as the Eight Wonder of the Ancient World. Having survived for more than 2,000 years allowing us to take a leap back in time and experience history at another level.
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How Were These Terracotta Soldiers Made?
Investigations into the construction of these figures have shown that the process used to make these figures may have been similar to our modern day assembly line. The head, arms, torso, and legs for each figure was constructed separately. The parts were then molded together and individualized with distinct features. Sometimes they had extra clay, so some were extra fat, and sometimes they ran out of clay, so some were extra skinny. Anyways, the figure was then fired in a kiln, to strengthen and solidify the clay. Finally, each figure was painted, put into military formation, and then forced to do push ups. Unfortunately, through the ages, the paint on the figures have deteriorated and flaked off.
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-Images and statistical information provided by wikipedia.org
-Silly Jokes provided by us :D |
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Where Can I Go To Check Them Out?
The Terracotta Museum in Xian, China is the place to experience seeing hundreds and thousands of Terracotta Soldiers all lined up together in its original formation.
But for those living in the states who are too lazy to travel, we are in luck from 2008 to 2010! Museum Officials have reached an agreement to allow a Historic U.S. Tour of these Terracotta Solders! It has been agreed that a few Terracotta Soldiers will visit and be displayed in the Bowers Museum, Houston Museum of Natural Science, and the National Geographic Society Museum. So check out the websites for these museums for future updates!
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Why Did Expression Sanctuary Choose Terracotta Soldiers As Its Theme?
"I have always been intrigued by the grandness of these Terracotta Soldiers since I was young. From afar each soldier looks the same as the soldier beside it, but up close none of them have the same expressions and characteristics. They also look a lot smaller from afar. Anyways, so one day while dreaming that I was abducted by alien sharks, it came to me that I could use these Terracotta Soldiers as a perfect canvas. I could use these Terracotta Soldiers to express the variety of experiences in our life time and, at the same time, preserve the essence that as a species, humanity will always remain interlinked. Besides, having lots of silly Terracotta soldiers running around doing odd things is pretty funny."
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| Concept Lead - Mike C |
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What Is "Expression Sanctuary" Anyway?
"Expression Sanctuary is actually a play on words, at least in Chinese, which probably does not make much sense in English. Anyways, the Terracotta Army is often referred to as "Qin Yong," which means "Qin Army of Statues". The Chinese character for emotions and expression of feeling, "Qing" sounds like "Qin", so we replaced the characters! This results in "Qing Yong" or "Expression Army" which fits our theme of lots of silly Terracotta Soldiers running around with different expressions! But "Expression Army" sounded weird in direct translation so we changed it to "Expression Sanctuary". I guess it makes some sense in my own little world."
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| Concept Lead - Mike C |
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