EGYPT’S SUNKEN TREASURES – EXCLUSIVE UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGICAL ARTIFACTS FROM THE NILE DELTA ON VIEW AT TURIN’S VENARIA REALE

Special Exhibit Designed by Robert Wilson and Curated by Franck Goddio on Display until May 31, 2009

NEW YORK – March 2, 2009 - Egypt’s Sunken Treasures, a special exhibition of over 500 underwater archaeological artifacts from Alexandria, Heracleion and Canopus, ancient towns in the Nile Delta which sank 20 feet under the level of the Mediterranean in the first centuries of the Christian era, are on view through May 31, 2009 at Juvarra’s Royal Stables in Turin’s Venaria Reale, the former Royal stables of the hunting residence of the Savoy family. This exclusive exhibit is designed by Robert Wilson and curated by underwater archaeologist Franck Goddio who discovered the remains and their legends.  

These artifacts bring to life 15 centuries of history - from 700 BC to 800 AD – providing a fascinating journey through ancient Egypt, and its relation to the Mediterranean world of the Greeks, Romans and Byzantines, before the Arab conquest.

Backed up by sophisticated geophysical technology, the team led by French underwater archaeologist Franck Goddio, curator of the exhibit, discovered these treasures, their legends, works and objects: from the sensuality of the diorite statue of a queen, to simple daily objects such as bronze fishing hooks, three colossal granite statues over 16 feet tall and gold coins, the Ptolemy stone weighing 16 tons, and the gold wedding ring with an inscription from the New Testament. Egypt’s Sunken Treasures was previously shown in Berlin, Paris, Bonn and Madrid.

The exhibit at the Venaria Reale is designed by award winning Robert Wilson who has fascinated audiences worldwide with his signature use of light and investigations into the structure of simple movements and the classic rigor of his scenic designs.

Visitors to the exhibit will travel down a long, dark corridor that recreates the depths of the sea to the sounds of special melodies specially composed by Laurie Anderson, all the way to the heart of the exhibition that starts in a brightly lit room, the “contemplation space” dedicated to a single, precious object.

The visit continues through strikingly outfitted rooms: Sunken Forest, Treasures Honeycomb, Sphinx Box, Liquid Space, and Waves Power before culminating in a long corridor, the Coral Tunnel, and the last room dedicated to the object surrounded by the greatest mystery and sensuality: a female statue – goddess or queen- that seems to rise from the waters and accompanies visitors to the exit with her beauty and perfection.

Egypt’s Sunken Treasures is sponsored by Compagnia di San Paolo and has been prepared with the La Venaria Reale Cultural Exploitation Consortium, in collaboration with the Institut Européen d’Archéologie Sous-Marine (IEASM – European Institute of Underwater Archaeology), Hilti Arts & Culture GmbH and the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt.

Exhibition Dates: February 7 – May 31, 2009

Exhibition Location: Scuderie Juvarriane at the Reggia di Venaria (Turin)

Exhibition Times:   Monday: closed (except on national Italian holidays)

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 9 am – 6.30 pm

Saturday: 9 am – 11 pm

Sunday: 9 am – 8 pm

Last entrance: 1 hour before closing time

Tickets are 10 Euros for adults and 7 Euros for those over 65 and under 21 and can be purchased:

• from ticket office at the Venaria Reale (reception area in the Scuderie Juvarriane)
• Infopiemonte, in Piazza Castello 165, downtown Turin
• Online at www.lavenariareale.it or at www.ticketone.it

Guided tours and audio guides:

• Guided tours at set times purchased on location (single ticket): 6 Euros
• Audio guides:  4 Euros

Visitors can also purchase combined tickets providing access to Egypt’s Sunken Treasures and the Venaria Reale’s permanent collection. Combined tickets cost 17 Euros for adults and 14 Euros for visitors over 65 and under 21.

Additional information on the exhibit is available at [Back to Press Releases Main]