GrandWest’s SunExhibits Centre has undergone a dramatic transformation for the staging of the internationally-acclaimed Tutankhamun – His Tomb and His Treasures exhibition. The expo, which opened on Tuesday 2 June, spans over 2 000 square metres of the expansive 3 136 square metre SunExhibits Centre, previously known as the Magic Castle.
A large armada of forklifts, scissor lifts and material lifts forged their way around SunExhibits to install specialised lighting, sound and computing equipment to effect the transformation that visitors now see.
Eleven containers carefully packed with replicas, stands, projectors and other equipment followed suit to compete the technologically advanced puzzle that makes up Tutankhamun – His Tomb and His Treasures. The conversion of the venue took 14 days to complete by a dedicated team of 15 installers specially flown in from Germany. They were supported by a similar-sized team of local experts.
The exhibition has faithfully reconstructed the tomb of Tutankhamun to scale and presents over 1 000 exquisitely replicated burial treasures produced by the finest Egyptian craftsmen under scientific supervision. These exact replicas coupled with state-of-the art technology and video material provide a vivid illustration of the culture and spiritual world of the ancient Egyptians.
“Since the opening of the exhibition visitors have been bowled-over by the transformation of SunExhibits and taken in by the breathtaking reconstruction of King Tut’s tomb and exquisitely reconstructed burial treasures. The venue is now a centre of discovery. People feel like they have entered another time and place,” says Nikki Botha, regional marketing manager at GrandWest.
The exhibition is staged in partnership with German producer SC Exhibitions and Great World Exhibitions.
“The Johannesburg leg of the expo attracted in excess of 70 000 visitors. With this in mind, as well as the fact that our expo spans over 2 000 square metres, size was important. We also needed a ceiling height of more than six metres to accommodate the large replicas and displays. Just as importantly though, we wanted the expo to be easily accessible and secure, and the venue needed to be capable of offering additional entertainment and food and beverage choices. Located at GrandWest, SunExhibits offers expo goers easy access to a range of outlets, ample space and secure parking. Security at GrandWest is also top class, allowing visitors to relax and feel safe, which is a key factor for us,” says Charlotte Damgaard, marketing director at Great World Exhibitions.
