Time-Capsule Art Installation Inspired by Chinese Mausoleum’s Warriors

The mausoleum of Chinese Emperor Qin Shi Huang is one of the most famous in the world, well known for its impressive eight thousand terra cotta soldiers guarding the tomb’s entrance. Now, some 2,000 years later, the mausoleum’s warriors have inspired a New York artist to create a politically themed art installation.

Prune Nourry, a Parisian artist based in NYC, has flipped the gender of the original terra cotta warriors and created 116 “Terra Cotta Daughters,” according to a report by CNN. The statues, which are on display at the China Institute from September 10 to October 4, were created to raise awareness of gender imbalances in China and the plight of Chinese girls. China currently has a one-child policy and strong preferences are given to boys over girls.

Nourry modeled the first eight Terra Cotta Daughters after girls she met at an orphanage in China, and local Chinese craftsmen created 108 permutations based on her original eight designs using a combination of features. Each statue weighs 260 pounds and stands five feet tall, featuring schoolgirl clothing and a modern hairstyle, but no two statues share the same features.

North Korea Leader Visits Family Mausoleum

Accompanied by several top generals in his military, Kim Jong-un, North Korea’s leader, visited the mausoleum where his father’s and grandfather’s embalmed and mummified remains are enshrined. His visit was meant to mark the 20th anniversary of Kim Il-sung’s death, as reported by an English-language news report provided by the official Korean Central News Agency or KCNA. Kim Il-sung was the country’s first leader and became its first premier in 1950.

Arriving at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun precisely at midnight, Kim Jong-un paid respectful tribute to his father and grandfather. Before paying his respects, the North Korean leader toured his grandfather’s memorial halls. After he paid tribute to his late grandfather, Kim Jong-un toured his father’s memorial hall and paid tribute to him as well. Kim Jong-il died after developing a heart problem in 2011.
North Korea’s leader has visited the mausoleums for his father and grandfather for three years in a row, beginning when he assumed power after his father died.

Mausoleums Go High Tech

Since the ancient Persian satrap Mausolus built his memorial, we’ve had a name for a process that humans have engaged in for thousands of years: mausoleum burial, or above-ground burial. Mausoleums have changed throughout history to meet the times. Monuments that house the remains of the dead reached unequaled grandeur in antiquity (think the Pyramids), but today they’re reaching a level of technological sophistication unparalleled in the course of human history.

One of the many innovations incorporated into mausoleums today is lighting that revolutionizes the atmosphere of the mausoleum — making current mausoleums a far cry from their dark, forbidding ancient counterparts. The Ruriden mausoleum in Tokyo is one example: The building uses 2,046 lighted statues made of a glass called “ruriki” to symbolize the souls of the departed. In the case of Ruriden, each light changes its color depending on the temperature and season.

10 Must-Visit Historic Mausoleums

Mausoleums have been around since ancient times and are constantly evolving. Modern mausoleums showcase a variety of styles, with some displaying modern-art inspired, minimalist designs, while historic mausoleums feature classic styles that have stood the test of time.

Viewing famous mausoleums helps you decide on a final resting place for yourself or your loved ones. Whether building a private mausoleum or purchasing space in a community mausoleum, classic mausoleums give you a better idea of the type of place you want to select.

If you’re an avid traveler, or simply a Google Maps traveler, put these historic mausoleums on your list of places to check out.