warriors
D I A L O G U E
W I T H
T H E
EMPEROR QIN’S
warriors
Professor Michael Caine
Professor Alison Yarrington
Dean, Loughborough University London
Professor of Art History, Loughborough University
On behalf of Loughborough University
London, it’s a privilege to be able to host
this prestigious exhibition with our partners,
Here East, at our new international campus
on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
It is a great honour to welcome Dialogue
with the Emperor Qin’s Warriors to the
be hosted by Loughborough University
London and its partner Here East.
The concept for “Dialogue with the Emperor Qin’s Warriors”
is compelling and resonates strongly in this post-referendum
and exchanges between artists in the EU and China have
highlighting as it does the importance of Sino-EU cultural
relations, is particularly relevant at this site. The Loughborough
University London community comprises staff and students
drawn from around the world, with the majority of students
originating from Europe and China. Furthermore, London is the
most diverse and popular destination for higher education in
the world attracting over 100,000 international students from
over 200 countries.
Many of the exhibits elicit a powerful response. The collection
challenges us to think about the nature of global relations
and the interdependence of nation states. As an educational
community founded on the values of multi-national, multicomplexities of these cultural interactions.
I hope you enjoy the exhibition and the opportunity to visit this
new and dynamic part of London, emerging as a Legacy from
the 2012 Olympic Games.
Finally, I’d like to thank John Atkin, Reader in Fine Art,
Loughborough University for his vision and tireless endeavours
in bringing this exhibition to London. Without John’s
perseverance the exhibition would not have been possible.
Dr Pick Keobandith (Director Inspiring Culture
has taken a long and complex route before arriving in East
London. Shown at museums and galleries in China and then
engaged with the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the First
Emperor of China’s Mausoleum in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, to
make the new works that you see here today. This inter-cultural
exchange is of particular relevance in today’s shifting and
often dangerous political landscape, promoting understanding
and debate through the arts. Exhibitions are more than works
on display, as they are a unique means of encountering new
visual thinking. The net result of this is a scrutiny of provocative
and nuanced dialogues between the viewer and the artefacts,
including a consideration of the environment in which they are
displayed. I hope very much that you will enjoy this inspiring
cultural exchange that is central to higher education today.
I would like to thank John Atkin, my colleague in the School of
the Arts, English and Drama of Loughborough University, who
ensured that Dialogue... was able to pause here awhile before
Dr Pick Keobandith
Director of Inspiring Culture
Brussels, September 2016
Rendez-vous for Chinese and European Dialogue at
Here East, London.
This ambitious exhibition is dedicated to all contemporary art lovers and all those who want to
build peace through cultural exchange. It answers a long-lasting need to raise an artistic bridge
between China and Europe.
the Emperor Qin. The army that accompanied the Emperor in his everlasting sleep has come
to life again.
of works, each almost two meters high. It is the contemporary vision of an army that neither
threatens nor looks to conquer. It erases frontiers and cherishes freedom. It embraces the
universal theme of “Messengers of Peace and Generosity”.
With this exhibition, we aim to show many cultures but one humanity.
and now London.
This exhibition is made possible thanks to the support of the University of Loughborough and
are passionate about sharing cultures at a time when so many others instead want to erect
walls. Through Sport and Art they are promoting these principles, which are also at the core of
our exhibition.
We are thankful and proud to have them associated with us in the United Kingdom. I would
of international collaboration I am proud that my home country of Laos can be a part of this
exhibition celebrating what can be achieved when people from across the world work together.
Michael Cukier
Founder & Senior Director of
Palbric Art Foundation Prague
Art is often described as a unique language and like all
languages, it has its own rhythms, its own depths and of course
its own complexities.
Sometimes art is easy to understand, instantly readable, accessible for all. At other times it
takes multiple viewings and dedicated attention to allow for its message to be fully understood.
I believe that is only through art and the use of art’s distinctive language that we are able to
speak to the world about the collective issues that we face today.
support projects in education, culture, health and social welfare.
In the same spirit I decided to expand upon their educational initiative and establish the Palbric
Art Foundation.
wonderfully talented Czech/Canadian artist Milos Reindl. The posters have been displayed in
Prague attracting passers-by, people from all walks of life and we have plans to display these
works, as well as his vibrant paintings all around the world.
I am extremely proud to support this exhibition and help to encourage people to look, listen and
focus on the positive aspects of what make each of us different from the next.
Art uniting all people under one language. This is truly a celebration of diversity and of the mix
of heritage that we all share and should always be proud of.
I wish you an enjoyable visit and hope you are as inspired as I am!
Austria
Peacemakers
Wood, paper and metal
200x50x50 cm
Capital
Area
2
Population
Currency
Euro
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Belgium
Félix Roulin
Amazone en Armes
Steel
150 kgs
Capital
Area
2
Population
10.2 million
Currency
Euro
State Form
Monarchy
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Bulgaria
Zhivko Sedlarski
La Guerriére de la Paix
Steel thermoplaqué
220x60x60 cm
150 kgs
Capital
Area
2
Population
Currency
Lev
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
China
Yun Gang Chen
Have a Rest
Glass reinforced plastic
100 kgs
Capital
Area
2
Population
Currency
Yuan
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
China
Shao Jun Wang
Veteran
Glass reinforced plastic
150 kgs
Capital
Area
2
Population
Currency
Yuan
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
China
Kun Zhang
Sound from Heaven
Glass reinforced plastic
Capital
Area
2
Population
Currency
Yuan
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Croatia
Panacea
metallic varnish and transparent semi-glossy varnish
110 kgs
Capital
Zagreb
Area
2
Population
4.4 million
Currency
Kuna
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Cyprus
Lia Lapithi Shukuroglou
Blue Legs with Flag
Fibre glass, bronze and stainless steel
Capital
Nicosia
Area
2
Population
Currency
Euro
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Czech Republic
Flaming Stele
Mould melted glass
250 kgs
Capital
Prague
Area
2
Population
10.5 million
Currency
Czech Koruna
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Denmark
Xian Butterfly
Granite and plywood
40 kgs
Capital
Copenhagen
Area
2
Population
Currency
Danish Krone
State Form
Monarchy
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Estonia
Tiiu Kirsipuu
SoulLand (2009)
Metal and plastic
51 kgs
Capital
Tallinn
Area
2
Population
Currency
Euro
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Finland
Antero Toikka
In the Parc
Painted wood
Capital
Helsinki
Area
2
Population
5.2 million
Currency
Euro
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
France
Alain Clément
Untitled
Steel, paint and reinforced cardboard
400 kgs
Capital
Paris
Area
2
Population
Currency
Euro
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Germany
Gloria Friedmann
Marching to Absurdistan
Steel and leather
Capital
Area
2
Population
Currency
Euro
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Greece
Kostis Georgiou
Allegoria 2
Aluminium
Capital
Athens
Area
2
Population
10.6 million
Currency
Euro
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Hungary
Apolka Eros
Veteran
Mild steel
Capital
Area
2
Population
10 million
Currency
Forint
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Ireland
Gala’s garden
121 kgs
Capital
Dublin
Area
2
Population
Currency
Euro
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Italy
Alessandro Filippini
21 times Infinity
Stainless steel and wood
Capital
Rome
Area
2
Population
Currency
Euro
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Latvia
Peace for the World
Pine wood, mixed media, glass and reinforced acrylic acid
Capital
Riga
Area
2
Population
2.2 million
Currency
Lats
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Lithuania
Martynas Gaubas
Peacemaker
220 kgs
Capital
Area
65,200 km2
Population
Currency
Lithuanian litas
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Luxembourg
Marie-Josée Kerschen
En Attendant, La Guerrière Avance
Oak wood
Capital
Luxembourg
Area
2
Population
0.5 million
Currency
Euro
State Form
Monarchy
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Malta
Anton Grech
Drone Warrior
Cast concrete
100 kgs
Capital
Area
2
Population
0.4 million
Currency
Euro
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Netherlands
Untitled
Capital
Amsterdam
Area
41,526 km2
Population
Currency
Euro
State Form
Monarchy
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Poland
Piotr Twardowski
Rider
Steel
214x62x54 cm
250 kgs
Capital
Warsaw
Area
2
Population
Currency
Zloty
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Portugal
José de Guimarães
Xian Warrior
Wood, neon and lead
Capital
Lisbon
Area
2
Population
10 million
Currency
Euro
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Romania
Marian Sava
Harmonie
Wood
60kgs
Capital
Area
2
Population
22.4 million
Currency
Romanian Leu
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Slovakia
The Tree (Strom)
60 kgs
Capital
Area
2
Population
5.4 million
Currency
Euro
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Slovenia
Postmodern Man
Steel
500 kgs
Capital
Ljubljana
Area
2
Population
2 million
Currency
Euro
State Form
Republic
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Spain
Francisco Pazos Martinez
Warrior
Granite and steel
Capital
Madrid
Area
2
Population
Currency
Euro
State Form
Monarchy
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Sweden
Lars Widenfalk
Heads
Cast crystal glass
Capital
Stockholm
Area
2
Population
Currency
Swedish Krona
State Form
Monarchy
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
United Kingdom
John Atkin
Twister
Cast concrete
220x65x66 cm
120 kgs
Capital
London
Area
2
Population
Currency
Pound
State Form
Monarchy
Dialogue with Emperor Qin. EU and China Sculpture Show
Chinese museums included:
• Shaanxi Provincial Art Museum
• Hubei Art Museum
• Fujian Art Museum
• Ningbo Art Museum
• Heilongjiang Art Museum
• Changchun world sculpture Park
• Suzhou Art Museum
• Dalian Zhongshan Art Museum
The exhibition has now moved out of China and has
been exhibited in Tallinn-Estonia, Tsinandali-Georgia,
and will be exhibited in Rotterdam later this year,
inimitable interpretations of this famous collection
through contemporary art practice within the historical
showed aspects of the Xian collection (120 objects
from the mausoleum and 12 Terracotta Warriors) in
Dialogue with the
Emperor Qin’s Warriors
A contemporary interpretation of a historical collection
Army” with visitor numbers in excess of 400,000: at
to close its doors because of the popularity of the
exhibition. Press commentary at the time focused on the
exhibition providing visitors with a rare chance to view
extraordinary objects as well as face to face encounters
with China’s past, present and possible futures.
However a contemporary exhibition, which articulates
contemporary ideas of EU-Sino relations through contemplation
of the these historic antiquities is novel, as well as culturally
important - bringing together connectivity between the EU and
China at the twilight of the UK’s involvement in European identity.
The “Dialogue with the Emperor Qin’s Warriors” exhibition,
instigated by Dr Pick Keobandith (Director Inspiring Culture
reinforces and adds to existing Sino – EU cultural relations.
Twenty-eight Artists from each EU country as well as three Chinese artists
were invited by “Inspiring Culture” to visit the world renowned Terracotta
Warriors in Xian, China and to consider ways that these icons of the
Emperor Qin’s reign could be reinterpreted within popular culture of the
21st Century. Each artist responded to the collection of warriors, acrobats
and servants
discreet aspect of their own individual culture within the EU by making a
sculpture that responded to this ancient collection.
The results have been exhibited throughout China at a number of museums
and galleries in order to widen the appreciation of European contemporary
art practice to an audience that might not be familiar with the nuances of
of ways that the selected Western Artists interpreted this iconic collection
alongside the works of three contemporary Chinese artists. The exhibitions
were an unprecedented success drawing large crowds, press attention,
and international Awards for the organizers of the exhibition.
to-face encounters with an actual “Dialogue with the Emperor
Qins Warriors” through the contemporary adaptation of a historic
collection, at time of momentous political change.
The exhibition is also important because at its core the Warriors
(one of the purposes of the
Terracotta Warriors was to protect the Emperor in his afterlife),
I’m indebted to the Enterprise Committee of Loughborough
University for the faith they have placed in me bringing this
exhibition together, as well as Dr. Pick Keobandith for her
place. It has been a monumental effort, ably supported by her
team in China and Europe.
In closing, I would like to thank Prof Michael Cane for his
unwavering support for this exhibition as well as Prof Alison
footprint between the East Midlands and Olympic Park.
John Atkin, Reader in Fine Art
School of the Arts English & Drama
Project
Inspiring Culture
International Commissioner
Dr Pick Keobandith assisted by Edward Liddle
Organisation
Loughborough University and Inspiring Culture
Exhibition Curator
John Atkin, Reader in Fine Art, Loughborough University
Press
Loughborough University and Inspiring Culture
Inspiring Culture would like to thank the collaborative efforts of everyone at
Loughborough University for organising and supporting this exhibition.
© Loughborough University
Sponsors