November, 2008
FIRST EMPEROR TERRACOTTA ARMY EXHIBIT OPENS
The PORTMAN-sponsored event at Atlanta's High Museum to draw record crowds.
ATLANTA, GA (November 16, 2008) John Portman & Associates, Inc. (PORTMAN) is pleased to announce the opening of an exhibit
featuring 100 rare objects uncovered outside the Chinese city of Xi'an after being buried for over 2,000 years. The first
emperor of China, Qin Shihuangdi, forged the unification of China through his military might and administrative brilliance.
His accomplishments included standardizing weights and currency, constructing the first Great Wall, and unifying the written
language. In a quest for immortality, he planned his entry into the afterlife with a grand tomb guarded by an incredible army
of terracotta soldiers. Only a portion of that army has been uncovered, and PORTMAN played a role in bringing a collection to
Atlanta where museum visitors can view the figures and learn more of the emperor's amazing story.
PORTMAN'S connection to China is nothing new. PORTMAN established an office in Shanghai in 1993, becoming one of the first
foreign architectural firms to do work in China. Today our office still flourishes in Shanghai Centre, the first of
PORTMAN'S many mixed use developments in China.
Our support of the arts is not new, either. PORTMAN is an organization driven by the philosophies of founder and
Chairman, John C. Portman, Jr. His support of the arts is demonstrated not only by financial support to organizations
like the High Museum of Art, but by the integration of sculpture, tapestry and paintings into his architecture. John
Portman believes that the interplay of art and architecture is essential to feed the human soul. We at the Portman
Companies are extremely proud to work with the High Museum of Art to bring The First Emperor exhibition to Atlanta.
About John Portman & Associates John Portman & Associates, Inc. is an internationally recognized architectural and
engineering firm with offices in Atlanta, Georgia and Shanghai, China. Established in 1953, the firm has 55 years of
expertise in designing hotels, universities, offices, trade marts, and mixed-use urban complexes. John Portman &
Associates designs buildings that deliver a memorable experience to those who use them and a sound investment to those
who own and operate them.
About the Portman Companies John Portman & Associates is but one member of the PORTMAN family of companies. Portman
Holdings, LLC is a vertically integrated, full-service real estate development company with an international presence
and a rich history of developing premier projects. AmericasMart® Atlanta is the world's largest wholesale market of its
kind. Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC) is a renowned resource for interior designer professionals.
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