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Image provided by: University at Buffalo
Art world treasures on view, * w Tutankhamun travels to Toronto by Tony Grajeda Spectrum Staff Writer subsequently buried in a well- hidden site away from the other pompously royal tombs. On November 1 1922, after 16 futile years in search of the lost tomb of Tutankhamun, archeologist Howard Carter finally found something. In an excavation project in the Valley of the Kings, he and his crew stumbled upon a stairway leading down to a door cnscribed with ancient hieroglyphics. that plunderers robbed the tomb shortly after it was erected but took little of importance. Several alabaster chalices and vases were drained of their precious oils and perfumes. . The day had come for the mo>«t talked about event in the history of Toronto’s Art Gallery—a phenomenon entitled “In Celebration of Tutankhamun.” V' - <t . . \ The 55 object tour—representing the amount of years since the tomb was discovered—is the absolute rage of the art world. And, understandably, it is the pride of Egypt’s already impressive collections of ancient art. Attendance records were broken across the country in amazing numbers with the help of a massive publicity campaign. On loan from the Cairo Egyptian Museum, the tour started in the fall of 1976 at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.. It then proceeded through Chicago, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, and San Francisco, experienced by nearly 8 million people. a» The most famous treasure from King Tut’s tomb, is the solid gold 23 pound mask of Tutankhamun. It was almost impossible to get near, as a packed crowd surrounded the artifact. I heard one woman complain, “you need a baseball bat to get in there.” All eyes were transfixed on the faithful depiction-the narrow eyes, fleshy lips, shape of the nose and chin—all agreed with the features visible on the mummy. No photograph could do justice to this magnificent rendering of the adolescent king, nor could any words rightly depict its brilliance and majestic prestige. The U.B. ticket office is selling packages for a Toronto trip. The Art Gallery of Ontario 317 Dundas Street has a few thousand tickets remaining for weekdays in December but they must be bought in person. Photography is prohibited, coats have to be checked but there is no limit on the length of your viewing. The audio- Carter waited for the project’s sponsor and monetary supporter of six years, the 5 th Earl pf Carnarvon, to arrive from England. They then proceeded very carefully to clear a long passage which led to another door. After drilling a small hole into the sealed door. Carter lit a candle and, allowing his eyes to get accustomed to the light, stood in utter amazement at the images flashing before him. On loan from Cairo —Rebacca Barnstaln Toronto has ‘In Celebration of Tutankhamun Objects of desire 'After enduring a wait in line of over two and a half hours, my ticket was finally taken, ripped and returned. As the next designated group of visitors, we were herded into the first gallery. There stood Controversy clouds Toronto’s sold-out debut was no different. The lines stretched into the streets. After an hour and a half _ wait, I finally made my way into a sale of Tut-ticke displayed on the wails explaining lica oi by Kathleen McDonough young king’s head. We were told by the recorded voice that “by having this model in his tomb, Tutankhamun, through the process of imitative magic, would have an instrument that would enable him to be reborn as the sun god everyday.” The next few exhibits, a series of stools, chairs and assorted furniture contained beautiful examples of the craftsmen’s exquisite elegance and grace, a pre-requisite for Tutankhamun’s tomb. guidcvare worth the S2.50 but be wary of the subtle attempt to rush you through the tour. There is a free half-hour movie afterwards, and also free access to the restrooms of the outstanding gallery. The store selling the Tut memorabilia is basically a rip-off. Everything imaginable is sold; from tie-clips and scarves to stationery, puzzles and coloring books. Managing Editor Egyptian history proved only slightly interesting in my zealous anticipation of these unique remnants. Tomorrow the buses will leave for the Tutankhamun exhibition in Toronto, but not everyone who wanted to be on the buses will. The event, sponsored by the Black Student Union (BSU), has been bogged down in confusion for the past several days. At least 20 students who waited in line at the Squire Hall Ticket Office for four hours last week Friday were left angry and demanding answers to the mixup. The information signs explained that Tutankhamun died mysteriously at the age of 18. His reign, in the 18th dynasty of Egyptian history, lasted from 1334 to 1325 BC and his treasures have since been concealed for over 3000 years. The tomb, composed of four room&, yielded oyer 5000 artifacts. Complaints have been all over,” said Richard Lidge of University Student Affairs, who noted that ticket prices for both members and nonmembers of BSU have changed several times over the past few weeks. “BSU has the right to purchase the tickets and run the program,” Lidge explained. But, he said, the “point of departure” was when BSU put up signs and advertised for the tickets without spelling out the conditions for their sale. In fact, Lidge noted, BSU would be technically within its rights if it sold tickets only to BSU members—as was originally scheduled to be done yesterday. However, nothing could take away from the aesthetic value of the original artifacts. To say the exhibit is awesome and overwhelming is simply an understatement. Should have won a grammy The gallery offered a tape- recorded explanation of the show, which later proved to be a great asset to understanding the ancient art. Each artifact carried a description of the object and a brief explanation of its historic, religious and personal significance. The history of Tutankhamun’s tomb and its discbvery and excavation are almost as interesting as the extravagant exhibit itself. The pyramids were, at one time, used by (he Egyptians as pretentiously elaborate tombs for the hierarchical elite; and these later proved to be targets for grave- robbers and plunderers. But because the young king had died so suddenly, a proper tomb had not been furnished. King Tut was Many of the objects were actually used by the young king in his short life. Included were religiously' significant jewelry, several gameboards, and a dagger and sheath of pure gold which had been wrapped inside the mummy. Artistically, one of the most astonishing works in the museum show is a chest of ivory panels depicting the king and his teenage queen, Ankhesenamun, in gracious domestic scenes. This naturalistic artistry was practically unheard of prior to the 18th dynasty. Tickets were originally sold in the Black Student Union office on the third floor of Squire Hall, allegedly at $11 for students and $20 or $25 for non-students. Then tickets were to go on sale at the Ticket Office, but disagreement between BSU and the Student Association (SA) over the cost of the tickets and the number of tickets to be sold resulted in the tickets being yanked from the Office last Friday. STEREO 5HIEc|| S THE STEREO ADVANTAGE g- “It’s a breakdown in communication,” said SA President Joel Mayersohn. SA Student Activities Director Barry Calder explained BSU had offered to sponsor the event over the summer. Since BSU was using its budget—supplied by mandatory student activity fees—to travel to Toronto, purchase the tickets and rent the four buses for the excursion, it was verbally agreed that BSU could set aside some tickets for its members, he said. BBO The weekend of November J and 4, SA Treasurer Kevin Bryant meant with members of the BSU to arrange for the tickets to be sold in the Ticket Office. But apparently each side emerged with a different view of what took place. Those damn scoundrels Unfortunately, Carter was not the first to have discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb. Inside a small golden shrine stands a pedestal that once held a statuette of Tutankhamun. Carter believed TCAC According to Calder, the communication gap was widened by two points of confusion; how much money SA would subsidize BSU for the tickets and how many tickets would be sold to the general public as opposed to Black Student Union members. Calder quoted the BSU figures at 49 tickets for the general public and a $1400 subsidy as opposed to Bryant’s of over 100 tickets and a $700 subsidy. “No one knows who’s correct,” he added. Although Bryant said such things are usually put in writing, the agreement he had with BSU that weekend was verbal. “1 assumed they were good to Ihcir word,” said Bryant. But a BSU officer said that the BSU would withhold comment until its written statement was prepared and released. III audio-technica UBIWSM • PICKERING «P*orjcenr = Technics = 30% Ticket Office Director Ken Nussbaum said that the tickets were removed from the office Friday, November 9, because of the conflicting instructions he received from BSU and SA. But tickets went back on sale Monday morning, Nussbaum said, at $11 for BSU members and $45 for other students and the public. Nussbaum said he sold eight tickets Monday and Tuesday, seven to BSU members. But tickets were again removed from the ticket office. Forty-nine tickets went back on sale there yesterday—at $25 for everyone—after discussions between SA and BSU representatives Thursday night. Tut tickets cost $3.50. Roundtrip fare to Toronto is $17.20 on Greyhound and $18.70 on Amtrak. OFF EVERYTHING SPEAKERS Decks Turntables receiver Executive Director of Sub Board 1 Inc. Dennis Black noted that, as Un- official accounting firm for all student organizations, he wanted BSU to sell the tickets through the ticket office in order to keep clear financial records. “It’s a lot of money,” Black said, noting that accounts for sum can’t be kept on the “cover of a shoebox.” Student organizations are not allowed, according to Sqni-c Hol. Council rules, to sell tickets from their offices, said Squid Hail A 0 Director Robert Henderson. However, he noted, if the tickets are sold only to members of the organization, it is usually allowed. Henderson mentioned the security risk of keeping money in offices. BSU also sponsored a free film showing and lecture by Oil Noble Wednesday night as a prelude to the trip. Mayersohn had agreed to pay the cost of the lecture ($700) since it was open to the entire University. But Bryant told The Spectrum yesterday that, since BSU did not agree to sell the tickets at the reduced rate of $11 to all students, SA is not subsidizing any part of the event or paying for the speaker. Front-eecew ttoroo cawoff doc* with Dolby REG $550. SALE $209. 5087 MAIN ST. WMSVL OPEN DAEV 10 30- 8=30 GAIL 632 8038 NOW VISA M-C CASH stereo i advantage Q la fair lataa-
