A work of art consisting of 1,000 life-size soldiers and previously installed at locations from the Great Wall of China to the Arche de la Defense in Paris will arrive in Ireland this week for the Kilkenny Arts Festival which starts on August 8th.
German artist H.A. Schult is bringing his "Trash People" exhibition to the grounds of Kilkenny Castle. The soldiers are created entirely from discarded tin cans and metal containers by the eco-aware artist.
The display, vast and looking like a sci-fi rendition of the past, involves 1,000 statues neatly lined up in colourful regiments. It has travelled to locations all over the world during the past seven years and one of them has even made it into orbit on board the space shuttle Endeavour.
The incoming director of Kilkenny Arts Festival, Ms Claudia Woolgar, said this year's festival would continue to build on the achievements of the past 30 years. It will feature artists from 11 different countries.