Chrysler Corporation Fund Presents 'Splendors of Ancient Egypt' at The Detroit Institute of Arts

11 July 1997

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., July 11 -- Travel to ancient Egypt this
summer by visiting The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) where Chrysler
Corporation Fund will sponsor one of the world's largest exhibitions of
Egyptian art ever to visit the United States -- "Splendors of Ancient Egypt."
To celebrate this grand exhibition and its importance to arts and culture in
Detroit, Chrysler Corporation will sponsor a 'Splendors of Ancient Egypt"
gala tonight at the DIA.
    Chrysler Chairman and CEO, Robert J. Eaton, will host guests at the
reception and offer a preview of the exhibit before the grand opening to
the public. "Chrysler's sponsorship of "Splendors of Ancient Egypt" not only
demonstrates our respect and admiration for the unique culture and history
of Egypt, but our commitment to the revitalization of Detroit," said
Eaton.  "Our people live and work in this area.  We have manufacturing
facilities here.  We are investing in the city.  We believe in the city
and the institutions that make it great -- including the DIA," he added.
    With Detroit as its only midwestern stop, "Splendors of Ancient Egypt"
will open to the public on July 16.  The exhibit fills the museum's 18
galleries with magnificent treasures from one of the great civilizations
of Africa.
    Over 200 ancient works of art including magnificent statues from the Old
Kingdom, an 18-foot-long papyrus scroll of the Book of the Dead, hand
painted mummy cases, jewelry, wall carvings, and other treasures are
displayed in the collection.  All of the works in the exhibition offer a
panoramic view of ancient Egypt, ranging from the pre-dynastic period to
the seventh century A.D.
    Most of the objects in "Splendors of Ancient Egypt" are drawn from the
world renowned Roemer -- Pelizaeus Museum, located in Hildsheim in north
Germany.  The museum's collection of Egyptian antiquities ranks among the
richest and most important outside of Egypt.
    "Chrysler's support of the "Splendors of Ancient Egypt" exhibit continues
the Corporation's ongoing commitment to the arts and the revitalization of
the greater Detroit community," said Eaton.  Chrysler recently announced
that it will also sponsor "Invisible Made Visible:  Angels From the
Vatican" in five cities, including Detroit, beginning Aug. 23 - Oct.
18, 1998.

SOURCE  Chrysler Corporation