PRESS RELEASE
January 14, 2011
ARTS AND EXHIBITIONS INTERNATIONAL PRESS CONTACT: Laura Calliari, (310) 941-8780, laura@artsandexhibitions.com
CINCINNATI MUSEUM CENTER PRESS CONTACTS: Casey Kroger (513) 455-7196 office, (513) 608-5777 cell,ckroger@cincymuseum.org; or Elizabeth Pierce, (513) 368-2139 cell,epierce@cincymuseum.org
Royal Couple Arrives to Cincinnati Museum Center as Installation of Cleopatra Exhibition Begins
Exhibition featuring artifacts from ongoing searches into the life and times of Egypt's legendary queen opens February 18
CINCINNATI - Installation of the 150 artifacts that will be featured in the exhibition “Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt” began today at Cincinnati Museum Center, including two colossal granite statues from the 4th – 3rd centuries B.C. that weigh almost 10 tons. Opening February 18 and organized by National Geographic and Arts and Exhibitions International, with cooperation from the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities and the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM), the exhibition will take visitors inside the present-day search for Cleopatra, which extends from the sands of Egypt to the depths of the Bay of Aboukir near Alexandria.
The exhibition will provide an inside look at two ongoing expeditions led by modern explorers Dr. Zahi Hawass, Egypt’s pre-eminent archaeologist and secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and Franck Goddio, French underwater archaeologist and director of IEASM. As a highlight, the exhibition will showcase artifacts from Goddio’s continuing underwater search off the Mediterranean coast of Egypt, begun in 1992 and sponsored by the Hilti Foundation.
Installation began today with the two largest artifacts in the exhibition. Carved from red granite, the Colossal King and Queen statues represent rulers from the Ptolemaic era, the dynasty that included Cleopatra VII. At more than 16 feet tall and 5.5 tons, the king may have originally stood in a temple area. His double crown, uraeus cobra and kilt indicate his royal status. The king and the companion Colossal Queen statue, weighing in at 4 tons and standing about 16 feet tall, were pulled out of the Mediterranean Sea from the sunken ancient Egyptian city of Heracleion near Alexandria by Goddio’s team in 2000.
The exhibition about the legendary queen, who remains one of history’s greatest enigmas, will be on display at Cincinnati Museum Center from February 18 – September 5, 2011, then travel to three other North American cities.
TICKET INFORMATION
Individual tickets for “Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt” range from $23 to $14, which includes an audio tour. Tickets are timed and dated, and admission is 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays (last entry at 5pm), 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (last entry at 9 p.m.), 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sundays (last entry at 6 p.m.). There are discounts available for groups of 15 or more and for Cincinnati Museum Center Members. Due to high ticket demand, advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended. Information and tickets are available at (513) 287-7001 or toll free at 1-800-733-2077, www.cincymuseum.org and www.searchforcleopatra.com. Information about tickets for groups of 15 or more is available at (513) 287-7021.
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About National Geographic
The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 375 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,400 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.
About Arts and Exhibitions International (AEI)
Founded in 2003 by president John Norman and international vice president Andres Numhauser, AEI produces the award-winning exhibition “Diana: A Celebration” in association with the Althorp Estate in the United Kingdom; two touring exhibitions dedicated to the treasures of King Tutankhamun; “Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship;” and “America IAM: The African American Imprint” in partnership with Tavis Smiley. Norman and Numhauser have 40 years combined experience in the entertainment and exhibition business, working over the years on such projects as “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit” and “Saint Peter and the Vatican: The Legacy of the Popes.” The company has relationships with the most important museums in the world and has presented traveling exhibitions on four continents. AEI is part of AEG Exhibitions, an affiliate division of AEG LIVE. AEG LIVE is the live-entertainment division of Los Angeles-based AEG, one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world. For more information, visit www.artsandexhibitions.com.
About the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM)
Founded in 1987 as a French non-profit organization by president Franck Goddio for the location, exploration, excavation and restoration of sunken sites. The Institute calls upon scientists and specialists of different scientific field to support its research missions, study and publish the findings. Furthermore it sets up exhibitions allowing the general public to get access to its discoveries. For more information, visit: www.franckgoddio.org.
About Cincinnati Museum Center
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal is a nationally recognized institution as well as national historic landmark. Dedicated to sparking community dialogue, insight and inspiration, Museum Center was awarded the 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Our Union Terminal has been voted the nation’s 45th most important building by the American Institute of Architects. Organizations within Cincinnati Museum Center include the Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children’s Museum, the Museum of Natural History & Science, the Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX® Theater and the Cincinnati Historical Society Library. Recognized as Forbes Traveler Magazine as the 17th most visited museum in the county, Cincinnati Museum Center welcomes one million plus visitors annually. Cincinnati Museum Center gratefully acknowledges operating and capital support from the taxpayers of Hamilton County and the State of Ohio. For more information, visit cincymuseum.org.