Los Angeles – On a calm, clear night in April 1912, the “unsinkable” sank in the freezing cold water of the North Atlantic and a legend was born. Pieces of personal histories and hundreds of artifacts recovered from the wreck site tell the tale in Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit presented by BP on display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, February 9 through September 1, 2003.

Titanic, the ship of dreams, was conceived in 1907 and met with disaster in 1912; a brief existence fraught with the drama of a Greek tragedy. It was lauded as the greatest ship in history. On board were titans of commerce, artists, leaders of countries, immigrant dreamers, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. The story of Titanic has been told and retold, but never more poignantly and passionately than by the artifacts presented in this exhibition. Painstakingly recovered from the debris field surrounding the wreck and artfully conserved, these three-dimensional objects, more than words or images, represent the vessel and the 2,228 souls who journeyed with her into history.

Spanning more than 12,000 square feet, the exhibit will take visitors on a chronological journey through the life of the Titanic, from the building of the legend, which took 15,000 men more than three years to complete, to life on board. Authentically recreated first and third class rooms will be featured with furnishings made by original manufacturers. Guests also glimpse a typical day aboard the great vessel by strolling through the Veranda Café, one of the dining areas on the ship. In “The Striking” gallery, guests can touch an “iceberg” and feel for themselves what it must have been like in the water most passengers on the ill-fated vessel found themselves in that April night. Lastly, exhibit guests see the technology and artistry it takes to recover these items from 2.5 miles below the ocean’s surface and to preserve them for future generations.

"Clear Channel Exhibitions, through our association with the California Science Center, is proud to bring Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit to Los Angeles. We are excited about the opportunity to provide an incredible family entertainment experience of the highest quality," states Stacy F. King, President & CEO Clear Channel Exhibitions.

California Science Center President and CEO Jeffrey N. Rudolph notes, “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit reveals the science and technology used to recover and preserve these hundreds of artifacts, allowing visitors to appreciate the challenges that were surmounted to bring this magnificent treasure of artifacts up to the surface for everyone to experience. It is an experience of a lifetime and we are pleased that the California Science Center is the only place in the state where the exhibit can be seen."

Tim Scruggs, Vice President of BP, says that, "BP is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the exhibition. BP, like the Science Center, has a strong commitment to supporting the community and science education given the nature of our work as an energy company. We are pleased to help make Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit accessible to every gender, age group and ethnicity and assist the Science Center in reaching new audiences."

The California Science Center is a dynamic destination where families, school groups, adults, teachers and even young children can explore the wonders of science through interactive exhibits, live demonstrations and innovative programs. Located in historic Exposition Park, the Science Center’s main building, the Howard F. Ahmanson Building, encompasses 245,000 square feet on three levels.

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit is produced by Clear Channel Exhibitions in association with R.M.S. Titanic, Inc. Clear Channel Exhibitions, a division of Clear Channel Entertainment, is based in San Antonio, Texas. CCE is a world leader in providing high quality, state-of-the-art educational family experiences, and produces exhibits in collaboration with more than 200 leading museums and research institutions.
Exhibit hours are Monday – Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Advanced reservation general admission tickets can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (213) 365 - 3500 or (714) 740 - 7878.

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit admission prices are $9.50 for adults, $8.50 for seniors 60+ and $4.50 for children 4-12. Members receive a discount and special rates for schools and other groups of 15 and over apply. Please call (213) 744-2019 for group information. Admission to other Science Center exhibits is free.

Note to Editors: The California Science Center is located at 700 State Drive – Exposition Park, Los Angeles. Enter visitor parking at 39th & Figueroa Street. Parking is $6 per car. Due to construction please arrive a few minutes early. For general information, call 323.SCIENCE (323.724-3623) or visit our website at http://www.casciencectr.org. Both the Science Center and IMAX Theater are wheelchair accessible.