Tutankhamun in context: the political and religious landscapes of Amarna and Thebes (Audio)
March 10th, 2010
Tutankhamun lived in “interesting times.” He grew up in the royal court at Amarna, and was ultimately buried in western Thebes. Archaeological evidence from these sites provides crucial insights into the dynamic religious and political changes that took place during Tutankhamun’s rule.
With Dr. Mary-Ann Pouls Wegner, Associate Professor of Egyptian Archaeology at the University of Toronto.
Recorded: January 27 @ Jackman Hall, Art Gallery of Ontario
Duration: 1:19:46
David Silverman: The Unity of Art and Writing in Ancient Egypt (Audio)
March 10th, 2010
While writing and art often interrelate in many cultures, the unity of the two is perhaps most integrated and apparent in ancient Egypt. It may well have something to do with the fact that the two-dimensional representations so characteristic of Egyptian art, begin to appear around 3100 BCE- at almost precisely the same time that hieroglyphic writing makes its first appearance – more than 5000 years ago. Born together, these two means of expression continued in complimentary use for more than 3000 years, well into our own era, and produced a uniquely beautiful and intensely meaningful means of communication.
Dr. David Silverman is the National Curator, Advisor and Academic Content Creator for Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs.
Recorded: Wednesday February 3 @ Jackman Hall, Art Gallery of Ontario
Duration: 1:20:34
Keep On Tutting
March 5th, 2010
Early last Sunday morning, February 28, more than 100 eager "Tutters" came to the AGO to try setting a new Guinness World Record for the most people Tutting continuously for five minutes.
Professional dance artist Mark Cabuena from the Toronto dance crews Grand Illusion and For the Funk of It led 107 participants of all ages in a choreographed routine. All participants received a free ticket to the AGO and to see the King Tut exhibition. They were also entered in a draw to win a King Tut weekend in Toronto! Karen C. from Toronto was the lucky winner of a night for two at the Westin Harbour Castle, two VIP tickets to see King Tut, and $500 in shopping certificates courtesy of Scarborough Town Centre.
"The success of this event was measured by the overwhelming support of the hip hop community and their enthusiastic response," said Sue Boyle, coordinator, promotions and tourism, and organizer of the event. "It was a huge hit and one step closer to creating a positive relationship with a new audience."
Over 13,600 people have watched our Tutting video on YouTube, and the AGO has received numerous emails from local youth voicing their positive response to this initiative.
We are waiting to see if we set a record. Stay tuned and keep Tutting.
Malaria, not murder felled King Tut
February 19th, 2010
It’s a study in contrasts.
Visitors to the AGO’s exhibition, King Tut: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs continue to marvel at the grand scale of Tutankhamun’s accoutrement – from golden jewellery to the elegant coffinette that held one of his internal organs.
Yet just a few months into Canada’s latest case of Tutmania, new research shows that the Golden King actually had physical ailments on an equally grand scale. As the Toronto Star’s Joe Hall reported, “King Tut likely limped through life and died a weary death from malaria and bone ailments.”
Check out the Star’s coverage of new research on Tut’s 3,300 year-old skeleton and DNA as reported in the Feb. 17 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Then visit the AGO’s exhibition (on through April 18) and experience the boy king in a new and unexpected light.
Art on the Street: Dundas & McCaul
February 5th, 2010
Toronto artist Jerry Waese captures our façade and busy Dundas street in his illustration, below. See more of his work in Spacing’s STREET SCENE and on Flickr.
We Want You to Tut and Help Break a World Record!
January 15th, 2010
Join us on Feb. 28, 2010 as we try to set a new Guinness World Record for the most people “Tutting” at one time.
Professional dance artist Mark Cabuena from the Toronto dance crews “Grand Illusion” and “For the Funk of It” has choreographed a simple “Tutting” routine that you will learn, practice and perform on the day of the event. Not only will you impress friends and family, you can help us set the Guniness World Record for the most people dancing simultaneously by “Tutting” continuously for five minutes!
But that’s not all!
Everyone who participates in the event will receive 1 free general admission to the Art Gallery of Ontario and be entered into a contest to win a King Tut weekend in Toronto! One lucky winner will receive one night accommodations for two at the Westin Harbour Castle, two VIP tickets to see King Tut, and $500 in shopping certificates courtesy of Scarborough Town Centre!
Also the first 100 adults and first 100 youth to complete the registration process will receive 1 free ticket to see King Tut: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs (Please note this exhibition is time ticketed and therefore is subject to availability. Tickets valid until April 18, 2010.).
Register Now
To take part in this event begin the registration process by clicking here.
Contest Partners
AGO Members share their reactions to King Tut (Video)
December 22nd, 2009
“My favorite part of the exhibition was probably the jewelry and the remnants from the tombs — they’re interesting,” … “My favorite was the cat coffin,” … “I really enjoyed the last part of the exhibition where they talked about the uncovering of the grave and the tomb and the gold,” …
Update Jan 6:
Here’s some images from King Tut Crowds
A Warm “Thank You” From Anubis
December 15th, 2009
Anubis is very thankful to the wonderful people who have helped dress him so far this fall and provided him with some incredibly stylish winter ensembles. Over the past few months he has also seen some wonderful places like Niagara Falls, Casa Loma, City Hall and Northern Ontario. He even tried out snowmobiling up in Collingwood (and got some strange looks from local dogsledders)!
While in town he’s also been working part time to get to know in the city – so far he’s been mime, a professional model, A spokesman for the Canadian Olympics, a Godzilla double and local basketball player and is eager to try out some other lines of work.
Anubis’ having trouble finding a dry cleaner do to his unusual size and needs some more outfits. He hopes it wouldn’t be to rude of him to ask you if you could continue to outfit him? He also would love to see more places that you suggest!
So please keep sending in your photos! Everyone who submits a photo will be entered into a draw to win two tickets to see King Tut!
You can submit your picture three ways:
1) Post it to the AGO’s FACEBOOK fan page
2) Post it in the AGO Anubis Flickr pool
3) Email it to AGOMOBILE@ago.net
When you submit your photo, please indicate how you’d like to be credited for your work. And remember by submitting you are giving the AGO permission to display your work on www.ago.net and all other promotional/PR vehicles.
King Tut: Listening to our visitors
December 11th, 2009
Public response to King Tut: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs has been overwhelmingly positive, with nearly 100,000 tickets sold thus far. Among the highlights according to visitors, King Tut’s funerary objects – the golden sandals and finger and toe coverings – as well as the golden jewelry (a particular favourite of young women). Visitors also like the tomb-like layout of the exhibition, the extensive historical information and the easily visible labels.
Some of our visitors who saw the 1979 King Tut exhibition at the AGO would have liked a return visit of King Tut’s golden death mask, which no longer leaves Egypt. However, the golden mask of Psusennes I in the current exhibition is an incredible example of a death mask. It is among the most valuable pieces in the exhibition and was discovered in the midst of World War II.
Some visitors are also asking about King Tut’s mummy, which, for preservation reasons, also never travels. While the National Geographic CT scan of the mummy provides a fascinating dimensional perspective, visitors can also get their “mummies’ worth” by catching the special 3-D movie, EGYPT 3D: Secrets of the Mummies, presented with Dolby 3D Digital Cinema technology. Part historic journey and part adventure, the film (a favourite with kids) follows explorers and researchers as they piece together archeological and genetic clues of the Egyptian mummies, including one of the greatest mummy finds in modern history. The film runs every 30 minutes between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the AGO’s Jackman Hall and is $5 for members, $6 for general public.
Visitors are also joining or creating their own communities around things Tut. As an example, check out Heritage Key, a new website (it first appeared last May) that’s focused on ancient civilizations and archaeology. One member of this interactive community visited the AGO exhibition and blogged about a virtual tour of other ancient artifacts that don’t leave Egypt.
How To Tut
November 13th, 2009
The exhibition King Tut: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs (showing at the AGO November 24, 2009-April 18, 2010) makes us want to get up and dance. But not just any dance…we want to Tut! And we want you to join us!
Professional dance artist Mark Cabuena from the Toronto dance crews “Grand Illusion” and “For the Funk of It” has choreographed a special “Tutting” routine that is easy and fun to learn! Watch the video above and practice the moves. You can use your new Tutting skills to impress family and friends… and you can help us set a world record! The AGO will be hosting a special Tutting Day in the New Year, where we invite everyone to perform Mark’s Tut routine with us and help us set a world record.
Stay tuned to the website for more information of this amazing and fun event happening at the AGO! Confirmed information (including registration) regarding the “Tutting” event on Sunday Feb. 28, 2010 will be posted on this website the first week of Jan. In the meantime, keep practicing.
More about the History of Tutting.