Skip to content

ISSN: 2446-211X

  • 54k
  • 43k
Search
Close
  • Home
  • Design
  • Programs
    • UNITA For Future
  • Interviews
  • Exhibitions
  • Academia
Menu
  • Home
  • Design
  • Programs
    • UNITA For Future
  • Interviews
  • Exhibitions
  • Academia
Robert Wilson, 'Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty' | Photo Courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art

Power and Beauty in China's Last Dynasty. At the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Exhibition scenography, Exhibitions

Exhibition scenography, Exhibitions

Author

Newsroom

Published

March 26, 2018

[instagram-feed feed=2]

The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) collaborated with theatre director and visual artist Robert Wilson to organize a first-of-its-kind exhibition highlighting the drama, rituals, and opulence of the Qing Empire, the last imperial dynasty of China. The exhibition presents objects from Mia’s renowned collection of Chinese art, including rare court costumes, jades, lacquers, bronzes, gold ornaments, paintings, and sculpture, displayed in an immersive, experiential environment conceived of by Wilson. “Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty: Concept and Design by Robert Wilson,” is curated by Liu Yang, Mia’s Curator of Chinese Art, and is on view February 3 through May 27, 2018.

Robert Wilson, 'Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty' | Photo Courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art
Robert Wilson, ‘Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty’ | Photo Courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art

“The staging and storytelling involved in this exhibition speak to Mia’s belief in art’s ability to inspire wonder and fuel curiosity,” said Matthew Welch, Mia’s Deputy Director and Chief Curator. “Through the use of the theatrical elements of lighting, sound, and progression, we examine the layers of imperial life—from the external presentation of the court to the internal, private life of the emperor. We want visitors to feel as though they are part of this closed, ritualized, and sometimes even dangerous world.”

During the Qing court’s reign (1644–1912), the arts flourished—rivaling that of Europe’s great kingdoms. This backdrop of opulence served to affirm imperial power and prestige, and acted as stagecraft to enhance the emperor’s leading role as the “son of heaven.”

Robert Wilson, 'Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty' | Photo Courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art
Robert Wilson, ‘Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty’ | Photo Courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art

Costumes worn at court are given particular attention in the exhibition, including the display of exquisite robes heavily embroidered or woven with symbolic designs such as roiling waves and faceted rocks that evoke the earth’s oceans and mountains, or stylized clouds that suggest the heavens. Dragons, a longstanding symbol of imperial authority and might, often cavort in the clouds, suggesting the emperor’s rule of heaven and earth. These symbols are also repeated on other objects throughout the exhibition and help reinforce the sense of the imperial family’s rule as mandated from heaven.

Robert Wilson, 'Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty' | Photo Courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art
Robert Wilson, ‘Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty’ | Photo Courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art

“Mia has one of the world’s great collections of Chinese art outside of China,” said Liu Yang, Mia’s curator of Chinese Art and head of China, South, and Southeast Asian Art. “Our collection of Qing dynasty textiles is one of the most comprehensive in the West, and we have many other important objects associated with the Qing emperors and their courts. It is personally very exciting for me to be able to highlight these objects in an unexpected and fresh manner by working with Robert Wilson.”

Robert Wilson, 'Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty' | Photo Courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art
Robert Wilson, ‘Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty’ | Photo Courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art

Exhibition Experience

The exhibition progresses through a series of ten galleries that lead visitors from the performative, external world of the imperial court to the intimate, interior world of the emperor. The sequence of galleries explores different aspects of imperial life, from the almost bureaucratic devotion to hierarchy and the emperor’s omnipotent control of the court to the politically expedient splendour of religious devotional objects.

Each gallery also features an original soundscape created by Wilson, in collaboration with sound designer Rodrigo Gava, and dramatic lighting by designer A.J. Weissbard.

Robert Wilson, 'Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty' | Photo Courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art
Robert Wilson, ‘Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty’ | Photo Courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art

To set the stage, visitors enter a small, darkened gallery with a single illuminated object and a subtle soundscape, encouraging them to settle their minds and leave behind the 21st century as they enter the world of the emperor.

Robert Wilson, 'Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty' | Photo Courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art
Robert Wilson, ‘Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty’ | Photo Courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art

In juxtaposition, the second gallery embraces the extreme of opposites. Brightly lit and displaying approximately 200 objects including: carved lacquer boxes, bronze altar pieces, jades, gold ornaments, gilt bronzes, porcelains, and furniture—the gallery will emphasize the range of artistic creation throughout China’s long history and the force of this tradition on the Qing emperors.

Robert Wilson, 'Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty' | Photo Courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art
Robert Wilson, ‘Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty’ | Photo Courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art

An adjacent gallery seeks to recreate the sense of authority and awe inspired by meeting the emperor in his throne room. In this room with gold-leafed walls that evoke the opulence of the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihe dian) in the Forbidden City in Beijing, an imperial throne from the Qianlong period (1736-95) is raised on a dais with stairs on three sides, four large pillars surrounding it, and a large dragon painted on the wall behind it.

Robert Wilson, 'Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty' | Photo Courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art
Robert Wilson, ‘Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty’ | Photo Courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art

The soundscape emphasizes the fearsomeness of the emperor’s power by relying on percussion instruments performing ceremonial music, punctuated by intermittent screams.

Robert Wilson, 'Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty' | Photo Courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art
Robert Wilson, ‘Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty’ | Photo Courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art

Another gallery focuses on the court life of noblewomen. This room highlights the artistry developing in gold and silver production in the Qing period and the development of sophisticated technology for clothing manufacture, which created a remarkable material culture of garments and adornments. The aluminum-foil wallpaper of the gallery is designed to suggest a lavish and extravagant lifestyle, yet with a poignant soundscape that undercuts the display. A sad, bitter melody is played on the erhu (a two-stringed instrument), but unexpectedly interrupted from time to time by the sound of female giggling—a symbolic reference to the destiny and experience of Chinese women in the imperial court.

Together, the galleries vividly bring to life an intimate and dramatic sense of the imperial court during China’s last dynasty.

“Mia could not be more delighted to work with Robert Wilson on the creation of this exhibition,” said Kaywin Feldman, Mia’s Nivin and Duncan MacMillan Director and President. “His unique approach to exhibition design and his willingness to push the boundaries make him an ideal collaborator. His style often involves dramatic contrasts—brightness and darkness, fullness and emptiness—which bring a new perspective to these historic objects.”

Subscribe to our newsletters

Share this

Follow us

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
Daniel Buren, Daphnis et Chloé | Choreography by B. Millepied |Photo © Agathe Poupeney / OnP

Daniel Buren, Daphnis et Chloé

Marko Japelj, Le sacre du printemps | Choreographed by E. Clug | Photo © G. Batardon

Marko Japelj, Le sacre du printemps

Robert Wilson, A Chair and You | The exhibition at MUDAC Lausanne | © Lucie Jansch Performing arts and set design magazine

A Chair and You. Robert Wilson’s scenography for the exhibition at MUDAC Lausanne

Facebook-f Twitter Instagram

Follow uS

© 2023 Scenography Today. All rights reserved.

  • Contact
  • About
Menu
  • Contact
  • About
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
elementorneverThis cookie is used by the website's WordPress theme. It allows the website owner to implement or change the website's content in real-time.
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
CookieDurationDescription
_ga2 yearsThe _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors.
_gat_gtag_UA_86839159_11 minuteSet by Google to distinguish users.
_gid1 dayInstalled by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. Some of the data that are collected include the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously.
CONSENT2 yearsYouTube sets this cookie via embedded youtube-videos and registers anonymous statistical data.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
CookieDurationDescription
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE5 months 27 daysA cookie set by YouTube to measure bandwidth that determines whether the user gets the new or old player interface.
YSCsessionYSC cookie is set by Youtube and is used to track the views of embedded videos on Youtube pages.
yt-remote-connected-devicesneverYouTube sets this cookie to store the video preferences of the user using embedded YouTube video.
yt-remote-device-idneverYouTube sets this cookie to store the video preferences of the user using embedded YouTube video.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by CookieYes Logo
  • Front Page
  • Design
  • Interviews
  • Exhibitions
  • Academia
Menu
  • Front Page
  • Design
  • Interviews
  • Exhibitions
  • Academia
  • Contact
  • About
  • Submit your content
Menu
  • Contact
  • About
  • Submit your content
  • UNITA For Future
Menu
  • UNITA For Future
Search
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter