Press release - INCA’S, Capac Hucha - July 1 - November 14 2010

22-06-2010 Press release - INCA’S, Capac Hucha - July 1 - November 14 2010

INCAS, Capac Hucha

Dramatic archeological remains found on icy mountain tops high in the Andes form the point of departure for the exhibition 'Incas, Capac Hucha'. Children's bodies, frozen solid and accompanied by stunning objects, tell the intriguing story of the Inca cosmic vision. Capac Hucha was the Inca ruler's royal obligation to take hold of creation through child sacrifices and to exercise political authority over his vast empire. Long before the Incas, the Moches drank the blood of their own warriors in order to avert the flash floods that could pour down the steep mountain slopes. The Nascas used headhunting as a metaphor for harvest. To be united with the deities and ancestors, Chavín men sacrificed themselves with knives. The exhibition's subject is a world premiere. It is illustrated by more than 300 objects from the museum's own collection and from European museums and private collections. On display are mummies, pottery, royal textiles, silver and gold.

Human sacrifice today
Even nowadays, political and military leaders are willing to sacrifice sons and daughters in order to protect their own world view. Artist Claudia Sola, at the request of the World Museum, has created a powerful piece of audio-visual art about world conflicts which explores an additional dimension of this universal phenomenon: the sacrifice of human beings.

Lectures and activities
On each of five Friday evenings-2 July, 6 August, 3 September, 1 October and 5 November-curator Dr Edward de Bock is giving a lecture on a subject related to the exhibition.

Every Sunday afternoon features an ongoing guided tour of the Inca exhibition. This is free of charge.

An audio tour that tells about the key objects in the exhibition is included for the price of admission. There are three versions in Dutch: for adults, for teenagers and for children. The adult version is also available in English.

The full programme of events related to the exhibition can be found on the museum's website at www.wereldmuseum.nl.

Groups
For groups of 15 persons or more, Wereldmuseum offers a special arrangement. The group is first welcomed with coffee or tea plus pastry. It is then led around the exhibition by a professional guide. This can be followed by a lunch inspired by Peruvian cuisine. An afternoon visit to the permanent collection fills out the day for no extra cost. To make a group reservation, contact the museum at 0031 (0)10 - 2707190 or info@wereldmuseum.nl.

Café-Winebar
Visitors with a ticket to the Inca exhibition will receive a 10% discount on the special Inca menu offered in the museum's Café-Winebar.

Shop
The catalogue of the exhibition contains information about the Andes cultures and offers new insights into the Capac Hucha ritual. Richly illustrated with photos of the art objects on display, the catalogue is on sale in the museum shop for € 29.95. Hand-made silver jewelery, textiles, postcards and art objects from South America can also be found in the shop.

Opening times
Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm.

Admission fees
Adults: € 12
Children under 13: free
Holders of a Museumkaart or Rotterdampas: free
Groups of at least 10 paying visitors: € 9 per person

Address
Wereldmuseum
Willemskade 25, 3016 DM Rotterdam
0031 (0)10-2707172
info@wereldmuseum.nl
www.wereldmuseum.nl