Chinese Police sing, "All in all you stood terracotta tall Mr. Wendal" (2024)

A German Art student, Mr. Wendal, who is currently studying in eastern China (Hangzhou) decided to do some performance art without permission in the city of Xian.<BR><BR>His performance.. disguising himself as a terracotta statue and hopping, with his own base to stand on, into the Terracotta Warrior display and standing motionless for some time.<BR><BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"><BR>"I got to the area where he was supposed to be, looked around and didn't see him - he looked too much like a terracotta warrior," </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Police finally found him, arrested him and confiscated his outfit. Since he didn't damage anything, after giving him a talking too, they sent him back to the city of Hangzhou. Go Ahead Mr. Wendal. <BR> - - -<BR> - - -<BR>Article link:<BR>BBC Article with picture (scroll down a bit).

ABP <BR><BR>...but this is a better post...

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by JimJimmery:<BR>ABP <BR><BR>...but this is a better post... </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>[Homer Simpson] DOH! darn search engine *moan*[/Homer Simpson]<BR><BR>Sorry bout that. ugh. heh still *grin* thanks.. heh..<BR><BR>*hums Mr. Wendal*

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Sadly I think I would have handled it much differently and charged his arse maybe even sending him back to Germany if I was LE and he did that here. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Charged him with what? "Public absurdism?" "Dadaist conduct?" Should trespass be a deportation-grade offense?<BR><BR>Either way, yeah, I'm... less impressed than pleasantly surprised at China's reaction.

I would have actually tried to find something to fine him with (maybe some form of tresspass, or reckless endangerment to himself or the artworks since he wasn't an official curator etc). Which is sad. I would have, as long as no damage was done, laughed than thumbed through the book. <br><br>Fortunately I'm sure someone would have stopped me. There are less-anal types fortunately in Govt. -- View image here: http://episteme.arstechnica.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif --<br><br>But again I'm glad they didn't charge him with anything. ie funny and no damage done / and he is an art student - from NonContinuum's original post/story link a performance art student to boot. heh -- View image here: http://episteme.arstechnica.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif -- it was a pretty good one.<br><br>However if any of you yokels were to disguise yourself as a seal or killerwhale, no matter how funny, and try to hide among the sea mammals. And if I were NMFS enforcement.. I'd probably charge you with something at the very least 'harrassment'. growl.

The Chinese are people too you know. I'm sure the cops/security at the scene thought it was hilarious.<br><br>Personally, I'm amazed he went all the way out to Xian for that. Must have been one heck of a train ride getting out there from Hangzhou.<br><br>Also, I think that Bingmayong (The terracotta warriors) isn't technically in the City of Xian. It's about a 40 minute cab ride east of the train station. Enough nitpicking... -- View image here: http://episteme.arstechnica.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif --

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by iko:<BR>Charged him with what? "Dadaist conduct?" </div></BLOCKQUOTE>ROFL<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">The Chinese are people too you know. I'm sure the cops/security at the scene thought it was hilarious. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>At least one of them looks to be smiling in the picture.<BR><BR>I think it's the best kind of artistic stunt: Thought-provoking, creative, and harmless. I can understand about the Chinese being touchy, though. IIRC the whole complex is climate-controlled, which is one of the reasons they haven't worked to unearth more at the site. They're careful about access too.<BR><BR>I hope they don't restrict future access to heavily based on this guy's actions. Hopefully there won't be copycats either.

Oh, and next Friday... is Terra-cotta day... so, you know, if you want to you can go ahead and dress as a Terra-cotta soldier and stand motionless on a pedestal.

<blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by FreeRadical*:<br>Oh, and next Friday... is Terra-cotta day... so, you know, if you want to you can go ahead and dress as a Terra-cotta soldier and stand motionless on a pedestal. </div>
</blockquote>
<br><br>Oh now that would rock! -- View image here: http://episteme.arstechnica.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif -- -- View image here: http://episteme.arstechnica.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif -- I could imagine bc and his group doing that.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Strike Penguin:<BR>I think it's the best kind of artistic stunt: Thought-provoking, creative, and harmless. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>In what way is it thought provoking? He just put on a costume and hid amongst a bunch of statues for a few minutes.

^^<br>Well, he <i>did</i> do it in China.<br><br>...It counted for Nixon.<br><br>-- View image here: http://episteme.arstechnica.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif --

How do we know that's really what happened? Maybe one of the statues did come to life and when it arrives in Hangzhou and enters Wendel's dorm room, the real Pablo Wendel will look up from his lecture notes which he is marking with a yellow highlighter and say "Was ist das?" and the statue will give him a nervous smile and shrug.