Tutankhamun Exhibition in Melbourne is stupendous

[gary]

We had the pleasure to see the Tutankhamun Exhibition today
which is currently on at the Melbourne Museum.

In a nutshell, it is stupendous.

On exhibit over multiple galleries are a stunning series of artefacts
dating back 3350 years and more.

The first set of galleries contain exquisite pieces from the ancestors of
Tutankhamun. For example, a bust of Nefertiti at once reflects both the
beauty of the subject and the skill of the hand that carved the
stone with absolute perfection.

The remaining galleries are taken from the tomb of the boy Pharaoh
himself. The cabinets allow the viewer to scrutinize the contents in
close-up. These aren't amateurish works. It becomes immediately
evident to the viewer that each piece has been fashioned by the
hands of craftsmen possessing superlative skills. The choice of
materials and the incredible attention to detail tell us that quality
was well understood by those artisans thousands of years ago.

For example, I was fascinated by what would these days be called
the industrial design aspects of many of the works. Filleted edges
are ubquitous and the aesthetic blending of surfaces - tangential
here - positional there - higher order surfaces elsewhere - convey a
language of design that the designer of the case of a modern high
end consumer product, such as a mobile phone, will instantly be able to
read today.

Be prepared to have your breath taken away.

The optional audio commentary is highly recommend and gave
further insight into many of the key pieces.

We took two hours to view the exhibit but one is permitted to take
as much time as you like. Tickets need to be booked
in advance. We had booked the opening session at 10am and queued
early which I would recommend if you want to try and keep just
a little ahead of the crowd.

Adjoining the Museum is the IMAX cinema where Hubble 3D is also
being shown. We viewed it as well and it was also fantastic.

We drove to Melbourne from Sydney for the joy of the road trip.
Many who live interstate may prefer to fly. But having seen the
Tutankhamun Exhibition, I wouldn't hesitate to drive across the
country to see it.

[astroron (Ron)]

Hi Gary, thanks for the report, I would love to see it but it is just too far away
Your report gives me some idea what it would be like
Cheers

[richardda1st (Richard)]

We totally underestimated the public's interest in this exhibition.

As we are only about 1 hours drive from Melbourne we decided to just drive in expecting to buy our tickets and walk in.
Not a hope in hell, all booked out and crowded with long queues. Will book ahead next time, must not miss out.

Thanks for your report Gary, might as well take in the Hubble 3D show.

That's a shame Ron. it's on till July I think!

[Waxing_Gibbous (Peter)]

"Born in Arizona. Moved to Babylonia........"
I'm old enough to have seen this the first time 'round.
I stood on-line in front of the British Museum for HOURS.
It's....incredible!

[casstony]

I was slightly underwhelmed - an interesting exhibit but not the awesome experience I was expecting. Perhaps one has to go to Egypt to get that.

[PCH (Paul)]

It's interesting how different people see the same things differently. I could look all day and more besides at an exhibition like this. Whereas my wife and daughters would be looking for the exit after ten minutes declaring they really need to go to Myers or David Jones (again) to see the things they've seen every time they've been there for the past hundred years or so.

Signed
Confused of Stirling

[Osirisra (Ken)]

I was fortunate to be in Melbourne for a work seminar and the exhibit opened the Friday I was there! As you can imagine by my handle and avatar I'm a little bit interested in this kind of thing.

After I had finished for the day I check on line to see if any tickets would be available knowing quite well that my chances where probably slim at the best. To my astonishment they still had a few tickets for that night! I tried to get the tickets online there and then but the system was buggy and didn't work. Disgruntled I decided to take a walk to the museum anyway just see the building at least and I was only a hours walk away.

Expecting a large cue and not a chance in hell in buying tickets at the door you can imagine my excitement when I walked straight in bought tickets right then and there!!!

I did the movie, audio package as well and spent a good 2 hours and was in my element. I must admit even though I enjoyed the exhibit immensely I did feel like it could have been better but some of the pieces they did have were very nice indeed.

You have to see this exhibit if this is your kind of material. The shop has some nice nick knacks that you buy too.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

I remember it was only about 2 months ago I posted about this event coming to Melbourne and how I was looking forward to going to it.

Well, it is on, but I won't be going.
It has turned out to be too expensive for my family to go, so I'll just enjoy the reports in here

I actually would've preferred to see the Chinese Porcelain Army on display in Sydney, but that would cost even more

[alistairsam]

Originally Posted by casstony

I was slightly underwhelmed - an interesting exhibit but not the awesome experience I was expecting. Perhaps one has to go to Egypt to get that.

I'm looking forward to seeing this with the family and hubble 3D for the second time.
I have been to Egypt and seen tutunkhamens artefacts at the Cairo Museum, they are quite incredible. I was fortunate to be taken on a personal guided tour, the museum is one of the best i've ever seen, there's just so much of history and story out there.

I saw the mummies as well. they were smaller than I expected, but well preserved.
went into one of the pyramids. quite incredible. only surprise was the sphinx, a lot smaller than one would imagine.

but coming back to tutunkhamen, it is definitely worth seeing and the keen eye will pick up a lot.

[shelltree (Shelley)]

I'd really really love to see this but as Ron said, it's too far away! Plus I was in Melbourne only a month ago and really cannot afford to go again any time soon

Glad it was a great experience though, I can only imagine!

[Trixie (Carey)]

I would love to go to this as well. I remember seeing an exhibiiton many years ago of some artefacts on tour while their home museum was undergoing renovations. It was fantastic and I spent ages walking around. I took my mum with me and she went through the whole thing in about 1/2 hour and then had a couple of hours sitting outside waiting for me!

My main problem will be getitng to Melbourne on a day when there are tickets available

[mr bruess]

Tutankhamun Exhibition in Melbourne should bring it to sydney

[M54 (Molly)]

Thanks for that Gary.
We'll definately try to get there soon.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by mr bruess

Tutankhamun Exhibition in Melbourne should bring it to sydney

How about a swap.

You have the Tut show and we'll have the Chinese Porcelain Army show

[Tandum (Robin)]

I'll be in Melbourne in May but the cheese and kisses is more interested in philip island penguins than king tut? I'm sure I've seen the king tut show before, UK maybe? Saw the clay chinese guys in china, I remember where that one was.

[NatalieR (Natalie)]

Thanks for the review. We're taking the family down there the first weekend in July for a flying visit. Our Miss 10 has been looking forward to this since it was first announced and we have rellies in Melbourne sending her the info that shows up in the local newspapers.

We were also fortunate enough to visit the Terracotta Warriors in Sydney. The layout could have been done a bit better - not much of a logical path and with the number of people it was sometimes hard to cut back into traffric after viewing the other side of the room - but well worth the trip.

Nat

[Ric]

I would love to see that exhibition.

I am so envious of those who are going

Enjoy

[alistairsam]

just be wary of making mistakes while booking cause ticketek won't change dates or even to the next show even if you make an honest mistake.

ticketek terms say they dont allow exchanges, but also says they reserve the right to change artist, venue, schedule, show at their discretion. unfair from my point of view.
so check your details twice before buying.
should be a good exhibition.

[casstony]

At least the Tut exhibit is worth seeing even if a little over-hyped. The penguins is one of the biggest tourist con-jobs I've experienced; picture dozens of buses, cold concrete under your bum and 5 slightly disoriented penguins waddling up the beach. Better to see them at the Zoo.

Originally Posted by Tandum

I'll be in Melbourne in May but the cheese and kisses is more interested in philip island penguins than king tut? I'm sure I've seen the king tut show before, UK maybe? Saw the clay chinese guys in china, I remember where that one was.

[richardda1st (Richard)]

We saw the Tutankhamun Exhibition yesterday, very fascinating.
As I'm to lazy and lack the writing skills of some such as Gary, I would like to echo Gary's sentiments wholeheartedly.

This was the first of this type of exhibitions we have been to, and it will not be the last. Still very crowded, but plenty of opportunity to study the displays. We walked in at 10:30 and to my surprise it was just after 1:00 by the time we walked out.

Highly recommended, also give it a