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POWERLINE+the magazine of the powerhouse museum winter 04
superb silver
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From its earliest days the
Powerhouse Museum has seen
itself as a museum of the
world as much as a museum
of Sydney and its state.
Through contacts established
worldwide, we acquired
objects from all over the globe,
including such treasures as the
Boulton and Watt steam
engine. Today our international
collaborations take many
forms: acquisitions, loans,
collaborative temporary
exhibitions, conferences, staff
exchanges and virtual contact
via the internet. This year
promises an especially rich
mix of international
collaborations for the Museum.
Our place: Indigenous Australia
nowopens in the new branchof the famous Benaki Museum
in Athens on 1 July. The
exhibition is Australias
reciprocal gift to the people of
O2 From the director
03 Power picks
06 New exhibitions: Engineering Excellence
07 Sydney Design Week
08 New exhibitions: Contemporary silver
10 New exhibitions: Beirut to Baghdad
11 Members news: Members annual dinner
12 Members calendar
14 Members scene
15 New acquisitions: colonial sideboard
16 Interview: Lunar men author Jenny Uglow
18 From the archives: stories of our past
20 Profile: actor Nigel Sutton
21 Regional news: Layers of lace
22 Observe: Legends and transits
23 Corporate partners
24 New exhibitions at a glance
Greece, presented in
recognition of the Greek
Governments generous gift in
2000 to New South Wales
the exhibition 1000 years of the
Olympic Games: treasures of
ancient Greece. Our place has
been jointly developed by the
Powerhouse and Museum
Victoria with special funding
from both state governments.
The Australia Council and the
Australian Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade are
supporting the involvement of
Indigenous performers and
artists. The exhibition
celebrates Australias unique
Indigenous cultures and forms
part of the Cultural Olympiad
program for the 2004 Athens
Olympic Games.
After Athens the exhibition will
travel to China to be shown at
the National Museum of China
on Tiananmen Square, Beijing.
This collaboration was the
result of a chance remark I
made to the Museums Deputy
TRUSTEES
Dr Nicholas G Pappas,
President
Dr Anne Summers AO,
Deputy President
Mr Mark Bouris
Ms Trisha Dixon
Mr Andrew Denton
Ms Susan Gray
Professor Ron Johnston
Ms Margaret Seale
Mr Anthony Sukari
SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Dr Kevin Fewster AM, Director
Jennifer Sanders, Deputy Director,
Collections and Exhibitions
Mark Goggin, Associate Director,
Programs and Commercial Services
Michael Landsbergen, Associate
Director, Corporate Services
Kevin Sumption, Associate Director,
Knowledge and Information
Management
Director in 2002 when I was
visiting Beijing for our Hedda
Morrison exhibition. He
expressed keen interest in
having the exhibition come to
Beijing, both because of the
subject matter and as a way of
linking the Sydney, Athens and
Beijing Olympics. Since then
we have discussed other
collaborative projects that we
hope to develop with leading
Chinese museums.
International touring of
exhibitions such as Our place
not only showcases the
Museums collection and
talented staff but also fosters
awareness and understanding
of the history and culture of
our state and nation. Such
programs sustain and build onour already considerable
reputation as one of the
worlds leading museums.
Dr Kevin Fewster AM
Director
contentsissue 74
from the
director
FRONT COVER: FROM THEEXHIBITION CONTEMPORARY SILVER:MADE IN ITALY, VASE FROM THEEVASIONI COLLECTION, DESIGNEDBY MARCO ZANINI IN 1997 FORPAMPALONI IN FLORENCE (H: 42CM)COLLECTION: PAMPALONI. SEE STORYPAGE 8. PHOTO COURTESY OFGIANFRANCO PAMPALONI.
BACK COVER: PHOTO BY NAME TOCOME
Powerline is produced by the Print Media Department
of the Powerhouse Museum
PO Box K346, Haymarket NSW 1238
Editor: Judith Matheson
Editorial coordinator: Deborah RenaudDesign: Trigger
Photography: Powerhouse Museum unless otherwise stated.
Every effort has been made to locate owners of copyright for the images in
this publication. Any inquiries should be directed to the Rights and
Permissions Officer, Powerhouse Museum.
ISSN 1030-5750 Trustees of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences
+
Where to find us
Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street, Darling Harbour Sydney
Opening hours 10.00 am 5.00 pm every day (except Christmas
Day). School holiday opening hours 9.30 am 5.00 pm
Contact details
Postal address: PO Box K346, Haymarket NSW 1238
Telephone (02) 9217 0111
Infoline (02) 9217 0444, Education (02) 9217 0222
The Powerhouse Museum, part of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences
also incorporating Sydney Observatory, is a NSW government cultural institution.
www.powerhousemuseum.com
JUNE JULY AUGUST 2004
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ABOVE: (FROM LEFT) MR PANZHENZHOU, DIRECTOR OF THENATIONAL MUSEUM OF CHINA, DRKEVIN FEWSTER, AND DR DONG QI,DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONALMUSEUM OF CHINA.
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brought
to light
who willbe the firstwizard?
In September 2003 the
Powerhouse Museum
announced an exciting new
award to recognise
achievement in Australian
society. Sponsored by Wizard
Home Loans, the Powerhouse
Wizard award seeks to nurture
local talent and support the
next generation of Australian
innovators.
Each year the program will
honour an individual making a
dynamic contribution in one of
the Museums areas of interest:design and decorative arts,
Australian history and science
and technology. The
Powerhouse Wizard will be an
ambassador for their chosen
field. They will also have the
opportunity promote their work
through a public program at
the Museum.
Nominations for the inaugural
Powerhouse Wizard are now
open. The selection committee
comprises the Museums
President Dr Nicholas G
Pappas and a group of
notable Australians, including
John Moriarty, founder of
Balarinji Design Studio and
Professor Belinda Probert, ProVice-Chancellor (Academic),
University of Western Australia.
The Powerhouse Wizard will be
announced in September.
The Powerhouse Museums
collection is like an iceberg
about nine tenths of it is
hidden below the surface.
What you see on display is
only a small portion of the
entire collection.
In September 2004 the
Powerhouse Museum turns 125
years old. Over that time, the
institution has acquired an
array of treasures, marvels and
curiosities that can bebeautiful, precious, historic or
simply bizarre.
To mark its 125th year, the
Museum will mount a special
display of favourite objects
that are not currently on show.
Curators will select a group of
objects from the Museum's
stores and these will be
displayed in an exhibition
called Brought to light.
Objects that are in the running
for selection include a bright
red 1959 Gogomobile Dart, a
pair of pink polka-dot platform
shoes made in the 1970s by
the fashionable House of
Merivale, and a gold-washing
cradle built with advice from
Edward Hargraves, the man
who precipitated the gold rush
of the 1850s. There is also a
coconut decorated by French
artist Lucien Henry while hewas exiled in New Caledonia in
the 1870s.
Brought to lightwill open on 25
September as part of a
weekend of festivities at the
Museum to launch the 125th
celebrations. There will be
talks, tours, workshops and
activities for all the family.
po
werpicks+
IN SEPTEMBER 2004 THE POWERHOUSE MUSEUMTURNS 125 YEARS OLD. CELEBRATE WITH US!
GOGOMOBILE DART, 1959, PLATFORM SHOE BY MERIVALE HEMMES FOR THE HOUSEOF MERIVALE, 1970S, COCONUT WATER BOTTLE CARVED BY LUCIEN HENRY, 1878-79
The Museum will bring to light some
favourite objects from the stores for our125th celebrations in September.
s
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR A NOMINATION FORMGO TO WWW.POWERHOUSEMUSEUM.COM/WIZARD
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The Gyuto Monks of Tibet will perform aseries of tantric rituals at the Museum inJuly to help create harmony in the world.
www.powerhousemuseum.com
Peter Garrett AM, President of
the Australian Conservation
Foundation and former lead
singer with Midnight Oil, chats
with author and curator
Sandra McEwen (pictured left)
after the launch of EcoLogic:
creating a sustainable future,
a new book from Powerhouse
Publishing. Peter launched the
book and wrote its foreword.
Launched in April, the
Powerhouse Museums
redesigned website is more
intuitive and dynamic thanever before. The site structure
has been streamlined,
reducing the number of
mouse clicks you need to get
to the page you want, and the
number of menu items on
each page has been reduced,
making navigation easier.
the gameof life
EcoLogica beauty
Exclusive to the Powerhouse
Museum, eight Gyuto monks
from Tibet will take up
residence and offer a series
of tantric rituals designed to
create harmony in the world.
Over two weeks from 3-18 July
the monks will constructelaborate sculptures made
from butter and a beautiful
sand mandala, which they
believe to be spiritually
powerful creations.
It is Buddhist belief that
ongoing problems with
individuals or communities
whether ill health, natural
disasters or human terror
He describes it as a beauty:
thoroughly researched,
informatively illustrated and
packed with the kind of
necessary knowledge that can
help all of us better
understand and take care of
our truly unique and wonderful
land. The book is available
from the Powerhouse Museum
shop and good bookstores or
phone (02) 9217 0129 for moreinformation.
are an indication that the
underlying spiritual energy is
out of balance. Therefore
positive harmonising forces
are required before more
practical solutions can be
found. They invite visitors to
join them each day to addtheir own prayers and hopes.
The Turbine Hall, where the
monks will perform, will be
richly decorated in the style of
Tibetan gompa, with wall
hangings reflecting their
monastic environment. As well
as ancient tantric arts, there
will be a range of daily
activities, including creative
And web visitors who want
email updates on whats
happening at the Museum can
now subscribe to a monthlyemail newsletter. Among plans
to develop the website, is an
online member-curator forum
planned for later in the year.
More than a million visitors
access the website every year
whether they are planning
a visit to the Museum, doing
research, a school project, or
simply surfing so it is
important we meet the needs
of our users. Digital
communications companyMassMedia Studios worked
with us to create a website
which is more compliant with
the latest web standards. We
look forward to your feedback
on our revamped website.
Please visit us at
www.powerhousemuseum.com
and tell us what you think.
PHOTO BY SUE STAFFORD.
GYUTO MONK IN CEREMONIAL DRESS.PHOTO COURTESY OF GYUTO HOUSE AUSTRALIA.
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workshops for children, a
series of lunchtime talks,
chanting meditations and
consulting the master
sessions. Special prayers will
be offered for visitors health
and wellbeing and their
peaceful and prosperousfuture. For the Chona Chupa
closing ceremony on Sunday
18 July, the monks will be
resplendent in yellow robes
and tall hats as they lead the
procession to the sound of
Tibetan long horns, elephant
drums and cymbals.
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BISCUIT TIN RACING GAME MADE DURING THE 1950S BY THE PEAK FREENCOMPANY, FROM THE EXHIBITION GAMBLING IN AUSTRALIA.
The Museum has broken new
ground with an education kit
about gambling issues for
Years 7-10 secondary school
teachers and students. This
significant contemporary
social issue struggles to find a
suitable place in the school
curriculum. What are the
odds? Understanding the
risks' is a well researched
resource which helps teachers
discuss gambling in the
classroom. The kit has a
Mathematics-focus, but in a
historical, technological andsocial context. It was written
by Sue Thomson, Head
teacher in Mathematics,
Hunter Valley Grammar School
with research and support
gamblingin focus
provided by Museum staff.
Also in May, writers and
commentators mined the
design, culture and history of
gambling genres and sites at
a symposium at the Museum.
A Sydney Writers Festival
event, it featured international
speakers author Dr Gerda
Reith and journalist Aniruddha
Bahal plus Dr Charles Pickett,
curator of Gambling in
Australiaand Dr Matthew
Cullen, Co-President of
McKesson Asia Pacific Pty Ltd,
which runs the G-linetelephone gambling helpline
on behalf of the Casino
Community Benefit Fund.
Supported by G-line (NSW) a telephonehelpline for people with gamblingproblems - 1800 633 635.
comingsoon!
honour to
volunteers
Experience the blockbuster
exhibition that takes you
behind the scenes of the film
trilogy. The Powerhouse is the
only Australian venue for this
exhibition which has attracted
record-breaking crowds on its
international tour. Dont miss
your chance to be
transported to Middle-earth
and see props, costumes and
artefacts from the films.Discover the secrets behind
the trilogys award-winning
special effects and
experience an immersive
encounter with The One Ring.
Opening in December 2004.Developed and presented by the Museumof New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa inpartnership with New Line Cinema. Thisexhibition was made possible through thesupport of the New Zealand Government.NLP, Inc.
Congratulations to
Powerhouse volunteers DonFrench and Albert Taylor, who
received the prestigious
Medal of the Order of
Australia (OAM) earlier this
year for their service to the
preservation and maintenance
of steam locomotives.
Don and Albert have done
volunteer work for a minimum
of two days a week for the
past 12 years in the Museums
locomotive department,
refurbishing the 38 class and32 class steam engines. Both
men spent their careers
working with steam
locomotives. Don worked for
45 years as a boilermaker and
then boiler inspector and
Albert spent 45 years as a
fitter and then brake engineer.
Their expertise and
enthusiasm is an invaluable
resource to the Museum.
ALBERT TAYLOR (LEFT) AND DON FRENCH AT EVELEIGH. PHOTO BY MARINCOKOJDANOVSKI.
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The exhibition provides a
unique opportunity to
appreciate the relevance and
significance of engineering in
the everyday objects around
us. This years display features
six project winners from
Engineers Australia, SydneyDivision, 2003 Engineering
Excellence Awards.
A device that combats
repetitive strain injury, an
innovative take on a multi-
media building, a sewerage
treatment system, a dual
clutch transmission system, a
transport research project and
a magnetic switch are all
featured in the Engineering
Excellence 2003 display.
The PosturePod was
developed by Ergoport to
combat the increasing numberof individuals who develop
muscular skeletal disorders
(MSD) from computer use.
The Australian Broadcasting
Corporations new 22-storey
building in Sydneys Ultimo
was designed and built to
consolidate the ABCs existingtelevision, radio, electronic
media, archives, and to
provide facilities for digital
television. It was constructed
by Leightons Pty Ltd.
A new car transmission system
that combines both automatic
and manual modes was
developed by Sydney
company Nautitech Pty Ltd, for
VW Germany.
The Gerringong-Gerroa
sewerage scheme connects
households and businesses in
these coastal towns to an
advanced sewage treatment
plant. Developed by Sydney
Water Corporation, Veolia
Water Australia, and Walter
Construction Group, the
treatment process allows most
of the treated effluent and
biosolids to be reused.
Sustainable Transport in
Sustainable Cities is a four-
year, $4 million research
project by the Warren Centre
for Advanced Engineering. It
demonstrates how Sydney can
become a more livable,
healthy and sustainable city.
MagswitchTM is a permanent
magnet device that can be
continuously varied between
an off and on position by
movement of a simple switch.
Engineering Excellenceis on
display in Success and
innovation on level 4.
CONTEMPORARY SILVER:MADE IN ITALYEva Czernis-Ryl
Today, Italy leads the world in the
production and innovative design ofcontemporary silverware. The book
showcases the work of major Italian
architects and designers such as Ettore
Sottsass Jr, Carlo Scarpa, Alessandro
Mendini and Robert Venturi and Italian
design companies such as Alessi.
Beautifully designed, this book is an
invaluable resource for collectors,
consumers and design historians.
Available in paperback or hard cover, 128
pages, with over 140 illustrations
RRP paperback $39.95/ members $35.95;
hardcover $55.00 / members $49.50
ISBN 1 86317 102 9 (PB); 0 85331 899 9(HC)
Available from August 2004
ALSO NOW AVAILABLE ARE TWO
INFORMATIVE NEW BOOKLETS:
Remember! Members receive 10%
discount on all titles from the
Powerhouse Shop and mailorder.
Powerhouse books are available from the
Powerhouse Shop, good bookstores and
by mailorder.
To order or for more information contact
Powerhouse Publishing on (02) 92170129
or email [email protected]
www.powerhousemuseum.com/publish
NEW RELEASES
INTERIOR OF THE NEW ABC HEADQUARTERS IN ULTIMO. PHOTO COURTESY OF LEIGHTONS PTY LTD.
everyday ingenuity
SIX INNOVATIVE ENGINEERING PROJECTS FEATURE IN
THE ANNUAL ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE EXHIBITION.
Gambling in Australia:
thrills, spills and social ills
by Charles Pickett
published in association
with the Museums new
exhibition.
24 pages, full colour, RRP
$5.95/members $5.35
The transit of Venus by Nick Lomb, which
coincides with this astronomical event on 8
June 2004.
24 pages, full colour,
RRP $5.95/members $5.35
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SYDNEY DESIGN WEEK IS NOW IN ITS EIGHTH YEAR ANDTHIS 10-DAY DESIGNFEST HAS MUCH TO CELEBRATE.story_ANNE WATSON, CURATOR DECORATIVE ARTS AND DESIGN
sydney design weekThe Powerhouse Museum has
been a key player in Sydney
Design Week (SDW) since its
inception in 1997 and is now
the principal stakeholder. Overthat time the event has grown
to embrace an ever-increasing
range of design activities
across the Sydney community.
Significantly, design audiences
have also expanded as the
message that design is for
everybody to quote the
memorable 2002 guest
speaker Richard Seymour
has more effectively engaged
the general public.
As well as bringing design to
the public, SDW events have
also provided important
stepping stones to sustained
careers locally and
internationally for a number of
young Australian designers.
The first design festival of its
kind in Australia, equivalents of
SDW are held in Perth, Hobart
and this year Melbourne.
At the Powerhouse, SDW 2004
will feature the landmark
exhibition Contemporary silver:
made in Italy, curated by the
Museums Eva Czernis-Ryl, plus
The best of the Blue Room,
which showcases
contemporary glass design byarchitects, designers and
artists, sponsored by Bombay
Sapphire. There is also the
popular The Sydney Morning
HeraldYoung Designer of the
Year Award exhibition, theAustralian Design Awards
Powerhouse selection, and a
range of exciting public
programs featuring local and
international designers.
Exhibitions and link events are
planned throughout the inner-
city area, including the retailers
initiative Buy Design and
Workshopped, an exhibition of
the work of emerging Australian
at the Strand Arcade.
The breadth and depth of SDW
would not be possible without
the contribution andcollaboration of its major
stakeholders: the Royal
Australian Institute of Architects
(RAIA, NSW Chapter); the
Design Institute of Australia
(DIA); the Australian Design
Awards (ADA); the Australian
Graphic Design Association
(AGDA); and the Interior Design
Educators Association (IDEA),
representing Sydneys tertiary
design institutions. SDW
benefits enormously from the
individual and collective
expertise, the professional
contacts and the opportunityfor broad promotion that these
professional bodies contribute.
All stakeholders share a
common vision for SDW. Its a
vehicle to enhance community
understanding and
appreciation of design, says
the AGDAs David Terrazas. ADA
director Brandon Gien believes
Sydney Design Week is
instrumental in raising the
awareness and importance of
what good design is all about.
George Verghese of IDEA sees
SDW as a valuable opportunity
for the cross-fertilisation of
design ideas practised in
Sydney. In this Year of the Built
Environment the RAIAs Caroline
Pidcock welcomes SDW for its
potential to link architects with
other design disciplines in a
collective effort to find better
solutions for the design of
everything that surrounds us.
Apart from the range of
expertise they represent, the
input of stakeholders to the
organisation and events of
SDW is vital to the richness and
variety of the festival. With their
collaboration and that of our
media partner The Sydney
Morning Herald, 2004 promises
be the most dynamic, creative
and inclusive SDW yet.
Sydney Design Week runs from5 to 15 August 2004.
ABOVE: TEA AND COFFEE TOWER SETDESIGNED BY DENTON CORKERMARSHALL IN 2003 FOR ALESSI.PHOTO BY CARLO LAVATORICOURTESY OF ALESSI.
BELOW (FROM LEFT): GEORGEVERGHESE, IDEA; ROBERT SWIECA(SDW COORDINATOR); DAVIDTERRAZAS (AGDA); JENNIFERSANDERS (PHM); MELISSA JONES(RAIA); CATHY JAMESON (DIA); MARK
GOGGIN (PHM); STEPHANIE WATSON(ADA); KEVIN FINN (AGDA).PHOTO BY MARINCO KOJDANOVSKI
A six-piece silver tower,
designed by Melbourne
architects Denton CorkerMarshall, features in the
Contemporary silver: made
in Italyexhibition. DCM was
one of 22 international
architectural firms invited
by Italian company Alessi to
design a tea and coffee
service for the Tea & Coffee
Towers series. The Museum
asked Alessi to produce
DCMs design, one of the
first examples of the
limited-edition series, for its
collection. The set stacks
up on a tray as an 87.5 cm
tall leaning tower when notin use.
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OPPOSITE PAGE: TEA AND COFFEE SET IN STERLING SILVER DESIGNED BY ZAHA HADID (UK), 1995, AND MADE BY SAWAYA & MORONI, 1997, MILAN. COLLECTION: POWERHOUSE MUSEUM. PHOTO BY PENELOPE CLAY. ABOVE (FROMLEFT): CANDLEST ICKS, PETALO, MINIMAL COLLECTION, DESIGNED BY GABRIELE DE VECCHI, 1990, FOR DE VECCHI, MILAN. COLLECTION: MUSEO PER GLI ARGENTI CONTEMPORANEI (MAC). PHOTO COURTESY DE VECCHI. FRUITSTAND, MURMANSK, DESIGNED BY ETTORE SOTTSASS JR FOR MEMPHIS, 1982, MADE IN ELECTROPLATED SILVER BY ROSSI & ARCANDI, VICENZA, ABOUT 1987. COLLECTION: POWERHOUSE MUSEUM. PHOTO BY SUE STAFFORD.TEA AND COFFEE SET IN STERLING SILVER AND BAKELITE DESIGNED BY LAURA HANDLER (USA), 1985, MADE BY POMELLAT0, VENICE, 1990. COLLECTION: MUSEO PER GLI ARGENTI CONTEMPORANEI (MAC). PHOTO COURTESYLAURA HANDLER. JUG, MOULIN, IN STERLING SILVER FROM THE SLOW DRINK SERIES, DESIGNED BY GABRIELE DE VECCHI, 2001 FOR DE VECCHI, MILAN. COLLECTION: DE VECCHI. PHOTO BY LEO TORRI, COURTESY DE VECCHI.
Italian industrial design and fashion have long been
admired in Australia, but contemporary Italian
silverware is largely unknown in this country. In fact,
Italy is the worlds leading producer of high quality
silver articles for the home.
Until the 1970s, Italian silver was almost exclusively
hand crafted in a tradition that dated back to
antiquity. Silverware from Italian workshops mostly
followed classical and other styles of the past, butduring the 1970s and 1980s it underwent a radical
transformation. New studios were formed and old
workshops transformed as the traditional approaches
were questioned and challenged. Handwork was
supplemented with some industrial methods and a
range of modern objects, intended for limited and
serial production, developed.
This metamorphosis was engineered by a group of
forward-looking silversmiths and producers working
closely with noted architects, both Italian and
international, who provided innovative designs and
inspiration. The results were outstanding and fuelled
an ongoing interest in experimentation and stylistic
innovation.
This survey exhibition draws on the collection of theMuseum for Contemporary Silverware (MAC) in
Castello Sartirana in Pavia, Lombardy, and is
supplemented with generous loans from the Museo
Alessi and several leading Italian firms and studios. It
provides a unique opportunity to discover a
fascinating area of contemporary Italian design, as it
evolved from the 1970s to today. A beautifully
produced book of the same title accompanies the
exhibition (see details on page 6).
Beginning with early efforts to break from mainstream
revivalist designs (note the ingenious 1957 stackable
tea and coffee set by Olga Finzi Baldi which also
doubles as a vase), the exhibition reveals the
dramatic changes that occurred in two Milanese
studios San Lorenzo and De Vecchi in the early
1970s. Independently of each other and through
different strategies, both firms offered an entirely new
vocabulary of clean, modern forms as a replacement
for tired historical shapes and elaborate
ornamentation.
San Lorenzo relied on its newly formed team of eight
outstanding architects, including Antonio Piva andTobia and Afra Scarpa, and Gabrielle De Vecchi
pursued his fascination with silver as a mirror. Both
firms introduced serial production, thus bringing more
affordable contemporary tableware, cutlery and
accessories into Italian homes.
The 1970s also saw the formation of the remarkable
collection of Cleto Munari in Vicenza. The self-
proclaimed Italian dandy became a key patron of
modern silver. Munaris collaboration with renowned
architects such as Carlo Scarpa, Gae Aulenti or
Studio Alchemias Michele De Lucchi resulted in many
sophisticated and ground-breaking designs. De
Lucchis playful design for Munaris covered jug in
silver and colourful plastics, which resembles more a
cartoon character than a silver vessel, pioneered
colour infusion and humour in contemporary silver.
In the early 1980s, Italian-made silver conquered the
global market. Objects by Memphis, the famous
Italian design cooperative, and Alessis Tea & Coffee
Piazzas (11 tea and coffee sets designed by leading
Italian and international architects) became icons of
postmodernism.
While silver designs of Memphis mesmerised
consumers with their outrageously surreal forms,
Alessis sets demonstrated that innovatively designed
and perfectly functional silver tableware could be
both ground-breaking and attractive to the public.
Strongly architectonic, the Alessi series had a lasting
influence on late 20th century tableware design in
countries worldwide including Australia.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Italian workshops
manufactured a diverse range of silver table and
kitchenware in the modern idiom. Responding to their
customers unceasing demand for signature pieces,
silversmithing firms and design companies continued
to engage renowned architects and designers as
creators of their silver products.
Contemporary silvershowcases the designs and
work of about 50 Italian and international architects
and designers, which were produced in 20
silversmithing workshops mostly in Milan but also in
Florence, Verona, Venice and Vicenza. The exhibition
includes striking tea and coffee sets designed by
architects of international renown such as Zaha
Hadid, Jean Nouvel, Aldo Rossi, Kazumasa Yamashita,
Michael Graves, Charles Jencks, Richard Meier, Paolo
Portoghesi, Antonio Piva and Robert Venturi.
A selection of designer vases, bowls, jugs and
candlesticks is also on show. A silver placemat is
Italian designer Rodolfo Dordonis homage to the
father of op art, Hungarian-French abstract painter
Victor Vasarely. Eloquent jugs by Gabriele De Vecchimake pleasing sounds when used, and San
Lorenzos pots and pans in pure silver are designed
for the efficient, environmentally friendly 21st century
kitchen.
Spectacular examples from Alessis most recent
offering, the Tea & Coffee Towers series, provide a
glimpse into the future of tableware design. Will these
digitally designed, amazing objects influence the
look of early 21st century tableware as the Tea &
Coffee Piazzas did in the 1980s? Visit the exhibition
and see silver design history in the making.
Contemporary silver: made in Italyopens 5 August.
THE SUMPTUOUS EXHIBITION CONTEMPORARY SILVER: MADEIN ITALY WILL BE THE HIGHLIGHT OF SYDNEY DESIGN WEEK.
the brilliance of silver
story_EVA CZERNIS-RYL, CURATOR INTERNATIONAL DECORATIVE ARTS AND DESIGN
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The countries of Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Jordan and
Iraq form the dynamic centre of western Asia, more
commonly known from the European perspective as
the Near or Middle East.
International borders in this part of the Arab world
continue to reflect the fall of the Ottoman Empire after
World War I and a complex legacy of post-colonial
disorder and international political intervention.
It is an area that has long held a romantic and even
erotic fascination for the west. This is evidenced by the
Museums own collection. Since the 1880s the Museum
has acquired a wide variety of costumes, textiles, rugs,
ceramics, metalware, arms, coins, medals and
antiquities from this region that span three millennia.
Remarkable objects in themselves, they take on a
fresh relevance in their relationship to the
contemporary Arab-Australian community. Beirut to
Baghdad: communities, collecting and cultureis a new
exhibition that will showcase these, as well as present
the stories and responses of Arab-Australians to them.
As part of the development of this exhibition, a critical
focus group of community members discussed ways
to link the local community with the Museums
collection. A number of Arabic and community
organisations also had input through the Museums
wattanproject.
The exhibition will also reflect on traditional museum
practices of collecting, by examining the European
notion of Orientalism or how the Western world
fantasises about the East. Exquisite ceramic tiles from
Syria illustrate this multi-layered perspective. Taken at
face value, the tiles highlight the intricate development
of geometric and abstract design through classical
Islamic art. On an abstract level, as suggested by the
focus group, each tile is a small part of a much bigger
wall, taken out of its original context. In this way one tile
carries the burden of representing a bigger cultural
picture.
The Australian Communities Gallery, where Beirut toBaghdad will be on display from 18 June, will be alive
with community voices and images of the Arab world,
both ancient and modern.
Supported by Arab Bank Australia.
Beirut to Baghdad
SELECTION OF TILES FROM THE MUSEUMS COLLECTION IN GLAZED EARTHENWARE FROM DAMASCUS AND SYRIA,ABOUT 1500 TO 1600. PHOTO BY MARINCO KOJDANOVSKI.
A NEW AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITIES EXHIBITIONREFLECTS CHANGING ATTITUDES TO THEMUSEUMS MIDDLE EASTERN COLLECTION.story_PAUL DONNELLY AND ALISSAR CHIDIAC, EXHIBITION CURATORS
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annualmembers
dinner
from themembersmanager
Just as Powerhouse Museum
exhibitions move and change
regularly, the annual Members
Dinner delivers a unique
experience every year.
The fifth annual Members
Dinner on 7 August will be an
evening of fine wine, exquisite
food and sophisticated
entertainment. Come along
and enjoy the night as we
explore the Museums key
Sydney Design Week
exhibition Contemporary
Silver: made in Italy. This
ground-breaking show is the
first survey exhibition in
Australia of modern Italian
silver. This event will be a
feast for all the senses.
See the members calendar
for details and remember to
book early as tables fill
quickly.
We have some fabulous events
coming up on our calendar for
the remainder of 2004. The
most exciting news is the
announcement that The Lord
of the Rings Motion Picture
Trilogy The Exhibition is
coming to the Powerhouse
Museum in December.
Developed and presented by
the Museum of New Zealand
Te Papa Tongarewa in
partnership with New Line
Cinema, this exhibition brings
to life writer/director/producer
Peter Jacksons epic trilogy.
Featuring film footage, sets,
costumes, props and special
effects from the films, the
exhibition is immersive and will
transport visitors to the world
of Middle-earth. You can even
cast yourself on screen as a
hobbit! Stay tuned for
exclusive members events
associated with this major
exhibition.
Powerhouse Members now
have the opportunity to attend
our exclusive exhibition
openings, which were
previously invitation only. Over
past months members haveshared the first night glamour
of Nineties to Nowand the
thrills and spills of Gambling in
Australia(see page 14). Check
out the members calendar for
another two exciting openings
this winter.
Our annual Members Dinner in
August is one of the years
highlights. Tickets move like
lightening around here, so get
in quick. There are so many
reasons to renew your
Powerhouse Membership
and remember all
memberships current on 18
July have the chance to win a
fantastic home entertainmentsystem from Sharp.
Jane Turner
mem
be
rs+
OUR ANNUAL MEMBERS DINNER WILL BE ASUMPTUOUS EVENING OF FOOD, WINE AND SILVER.
BOOK NOW FOR OURMEMBERS DINNER!
+ news and photos
+ prizes to be won
+ exclusive events
+ family activities
+ special offers
CAPTION TO COME
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june
july
august
Thursday 17 JuneExhibition launch: Beirut to Baghdad
Join us for the community launch of Beirut to
Baghdad featuring some of the Museums Western
Asian collection including costumes, rugs, ceramics,
metal ware, arms, coins, medals and antiquities
spanning three millennia.
Time: 11.00 am, includes refreshments
Cost: members only $10 adult
Sunday 18 JulyTea and Textiles: samplers
Join senior curator Kimberley Webber for an informal
lecture titled Teaching girls to sew: a look at the
Museums collection of samplers and childrens
needlework.
11.00 am 12.30 pm includes refreshments. Meet at
the cloaking desk.
Cost: $5 members/$10 guests
Monday 12 JulySydney Observatory: space explorers workshop
NASA spacecraft Cassini-Huygens will begin its orbit of
Saturn on 1 July. Make a solar system model,
experience our new mini-planetarium show, and launch
a water-fuelled rocket. Especially for children 5-10
years old with their parents/carers. Bookings required.
Sessions at 10.00 am, 12 noon and 2.00 pm
Cost: $8 member child/$10 guest child/accompanying adults free.
Wednesday 4 August
Exhibition launch: Sydney Design WeekSydney Design Week will be one of the biggest
Museum events this year. Enjoy an exclusive evening
as the Museum opens the Young Designer of the Year
Award and the Australian Design Award exhibitions.
See these before they open to the public.
6.00 9.00 pm includes refreshments
Cost: members only $45 adult
Thursdays 5 and 12 August
Sydney Observatory: Greek legends of theconstellations
Get in the mood for the Athens Olympics by finding
out more about Greek legends of the skies in our 3-D
Space Theatre. View Scorpius, Sagittarius and
Centaurus through our telescopes and binoculars.
6.30 9.30 pm includes pizza supper
Cost: members $18 adult/$14 child/$14 concession/$50 family (2A & 2C); guests$22 adult/$16 child/$16 concession/$65 family (2A & 2C). Bookings essential.
Tuesday 8 JuneSydney Observatory: observe the Transit of Venus
Be part of this historic event introduced by Dr Nick
Lomb, curator of astronomy at 2.45 pm, followed by a
viewing of the transit until sunset in the grounds of
Sydney Observatory. Plus live webcasts from around
the globe. Bookings essential.
2.30 10.00 pm, coffee cart on-site.
Cost: members $20 adult/$16 concession/$10 children/$50 family (2A & 2C);
guests $22 adult/$18 concession/$12 children/$56 family (2A & 2C).
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Its one of the biggest Museum events of the year andMembers are invited! Mix with international designers andindustry insiders at the opening of Sydney Design Week.+
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Monday 21 JuneTour: The Mastertouch Piano Roll Company, Petersham
On our tour of the Mastertouch Piano Roll and Fancy
Box Company in Petersham, see rare mechanical
musical instruments, heritage machinery and the hand-
finished product as it is made.
Time: 10.00 am includes morning tea. Meet at the
factory.
Cost: $10 members/$15 guests.
Saturday 7 AugustAnnual Members Dinner
Indulge in an evening of fine wine, delicious food and
great atmosphere at the fifth annual Members Dinner.
Enjoy a viewing of the exhibition Contemporary silver:
made in Italywithout the crowds, and an after-dinner
talk by our guest speaker. Its a great evening, so book
early, as places are limited.
Cost: $130 members/$150 guests/$1100 table for 10
members+
how to book formembers events
Due to limited places, bookings are essential for
every event. Please ring the Members hotline on
(02) 9217 0600 to make your booking before you
send in payment. For events at SydneyObservatory, please ring (02) 9217 0485. Please
leave a message quoting your membership
number, what event you are booking for and the
number of members and guests. We will confirm
your booking.
Payment for members events
We accept: credit card payments by phone, fax or
mail; cheques; money orders; or cash at the level 4
entrance to the Museum. We pay for all events
once bookings are confirmed, so if you are unable
to attend your event, please let us know ASAP or
we will charge you to cover costs.
All events are held at the Powerhouse Museum
unless otherwise stated. All dates, times and
venues are correct at time of publication.
Members e-newsletter
If you would like to receive the regular Members
e-newsletter with updates on all new members
events please call (02) 9217 0600 or email
[email protected] with you membership
number and e-newsletter in the subject line.
XXXXXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XX XXXXXXX X XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX XX XXXXXXX X XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XX
XXXXXXX X XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XX XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XX XXXXXXX X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XX XXXXXXX X XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX XX XXXXXXX X XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXXXXXX X XXXXXXXX. XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXX XX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXX XX XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXX XX XXXX XXXXXXXXX XX.
Tuesdays 5 & 12 JulySoundhouse course: digital video
Discover the secrets of digital movie-making in this
two-part course, from shooting to editing, effects and
final output. Use one of our digital video cameras or
bring your own. Cost includes a copy of Digital
grassroots: a practical guide to digital video.
6.00 9.00 pm
Cost: members $100/guests $130
coming soon...ICOC down under
Members are invited to attend the International
Conference on Oriental Carpets, an exciting
regional event organised by the Oriental Rug
Society of NSW (ORS) in collaboration with the
Powerhouse Museum.
To be held at the Museum from 16-19 September,
the conference features both international and
Australian speakers on rugs and textiles from
Central and Western Asia, and textiles from
Southeast Asia and Indigenous Australia and New
Zealand. Two major exhibitions are associated
with the conference. Bright flowers, curated by
the Powerhouse Museum, features textiles,
costumes and ceramics from Central Asia.
Pathways to paradise, curated by the ORS, is an
exhibition of oriental rugs in Australian collections.
Social events in Sydney and an overnight trip to
Canberra to the National Gallery of Australia are
part of the conference.
For more information or a registration form go to
www.rugsociety.org.au or contact the ConferenceCo-ordinator Rachel Miller on [email protected]
Join us for our Annual Members Dinner and indulge in an evening offine wine, good food, great entertainment and exquisite Italian silver.
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win aSharpsystem
membersscene
Members are now invited to
attend our exclusive exhibition
opening nights. Here aresome of the famous and
interesting faces snapped at
the launches of Gambling in
Australiaand Nineties to now.
PHOTOS BY MARINCO KOJDANOVSKI.
For the Sport: more than
heroes and legendsexhibition,
Museum sponsor Sharp has
provided Powerhouse
Members with a fabulous prize
to be won by a lucky member.
The Sharp home entertainment
system is valued at more than
$4000 and includes
+ LC20B4M AQUOS 50cm LCDcolour television
+ SDAT1000W digital audiosystem
+ DVNC80X DVD VCR ComboUnit
All Powerhouse memberships
current on 18 July 2004 will be
+ 14 powerline autumn 04
automatically entered in the
draw. Its a wonderful incentive
for keeping your membership
current, and for giving a
Museum membership as a gift.
You can see the home
entertainment system on
display in the Museums foyer
throughout the Sport: more
than heroes and legends
exhibition.
For details of competition
terms and conditions go to
www.powerhousemuseum.com/members
PHOTO FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSESONLY, NOT ACTUAL PRIZE MODEL.
IMAGE OF LOUISE SAUVAGE BY BRETTFAULKNER/NEWSPIX.
CARLA ZAMPATTI LAUNCHES THEEXHIBITION NINETIES TO NOW:FASHION OF THE YEARRETROSPECTIVE.
MEMBERS OF THE WATERHOUSEFAMILY WITH CURATOR JENNIFERCORNWALL( LEFT).
LIAM WELLSTEAD (RIGHT),STUDENT FASHION DESIGNER, ATTHE LAUNCH OF NINETIES TONOW.
GAI WATERHOUSE, ONE OFAUSTRALIAS TOP HORSETRAINERS, AT THE OPENING OFGAMBLING IN AUSTRALIA.
MEDIA PERSONALITY TONYSQUIRES (LEFT) WITH MUSEUMTRUSTEES ANDREW DENTON ANDDR NICHOLAS PAPPAS ATGAMBLING IN AUSTRALIA.
MEMBERS (ABOVE) AND PETERDWYER AND FRIEND (LEFT) ATTHE LAUNCH OF NINETIES TONOW.
FASHION DESIGNER LISA HO.SIMON LOCK, FOUNDER AND CEOOF MERCEDES AUSTRALIANFASHION WEEK (LEFT) ANDFASHION DESIGNER PETERMORRISEY (CENTRE) AT NINETIESTO NOW.
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The cedar pedestal sideboard with cross-banding,
inlay and lion paw feet is a superb example of the
adaptation of the English Regency style in early
colonial furniture. It is one of the best examples ofcolonial furniture to have appeared on the market for
over a decade. Its style indicates it is likely to have
been crafted during Governor Macquaries time,
about 1815-20. This was a period of economic
expansion in colonial New South Wales when
increasingly affluent colonists demanded more
sophisticated domestic environments that reflected
their status. The sideboard is one of a small number
of surviving examples of pre-1825 Australian furniture
which displays the stylistic elegance and high level of
craftsmanship of English precedents.
Purchased in March, the acquisition of the sideboard
was made possible following a generous donation to
the museum by Mr David Roche, Adelaide
businessman, noted philanthropist and collector.
Mr Roche was immediately enthusiastic about the
Museums proposal to acquire the sideboard. He is
familiar with furniture from this period, indeed, he has
devoted his life to collecting 18th and 19th century
antiques. Ron Radford, the Director of the Art Gallery
of South Australia in Adelaide where Mr Roche lives,
describes him as Australia's most systematic
collector of Regency furniture.
Mr Roche is no stranger to philanthropy. His earlier
gift of the only lifetime portrait of Matthew Flinders to
the Art Gallery of South Australia has an interesting
parallel to this donation. The Flinders portrait was
gifted in memory of his late father JDK Roche while
the sideboard honours the memory of his late mother
DEA Roche, who lived for many years in Sydney.
David Roche is proud to be associated with items
that are so culturally important to all Australians and
which should be available for future generations to
admire.
The sideboard will join other fine examples of early
19th century furniture in the Museums collection such
as the Thomas Hope Egyptian Revival suite, Governor
Macquarie chair, and James Oatley clock. They will
be displayed in the Museums new decorative arts
and design gallery, scheduled to open in July 2005.COLONIAL SIDEBOARD, IN CEDAR, ACACIA AND PINE BY ANUNKNOWN MAKER, ABOUT 1815. PURCHASED WITH FUNDS DONATEDBY DAVID ROCHE, 2004, IN MEMORY OF HIS LATE MOTHER, MRS J DK ROCHE. PHOTO COURTESY ANDREW SIMPSON.
colonial masterpiece
THE MUSEUM HAS ACQUIRED A RARE AND IMPORTANTEARLY COLONIAL SIDEBOARD FOR THE COLLECTION.
story_ANNE WATSON, CURATOR DECORATIVE ARTS AND DESIGN
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British biographer Jenny Uglow has an intimate
knowledge of the lives and work of entrepreneur
Matthew Boulton and engineer/inventor James Watt.
As the author of the fascinating book The Lunar men:
the friends who made the future, she spent five years
researching the remarkable group of friends who
called themselves the Lunar Society and whose ideas
and inventions accelerated the industrial revolution in
the latter part of the 18th century.
But Jenny was unaware when she wrote the book
that at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, the oldest
remaining rotative steam engine made by Boulton
and Watt was in action almost every day. Jenny was
in Australia in March for the Adelaide Writers Festival
and she made a detour to the Powerhouse at the
invitation of Director Kevin Fewster to talk about the
Lunar men. It was also the first time she had seen a
Boulton and Watt steam engine operating under
steam.
When I first saw it I burst into tears, she says. That
wonderful rhythmic sound, and the sinuous
movement its just like an animal. Australia is
terribly lucky to have it. I think it is one of the most
significant museum exhibits in the world.
It is certainly the most significant technologicalartefact ever to reach Australia. Built in 1785, it was
one of Boulton and Watts earliest rotative (wheel-
turning) engines and is the oldest in existence. And,
as Jenny found to her delight, it still works regularly
under steam.
The engine has further significance. Jenny explains:
Its not an experimental model. This engine has a
long working history. It worked at Whitbreads brewery
in London for 100 years and it was a terrific spectacle
in its day. This was Boulton and Watts showpiece and
it was this engine that King George III was invited to
see.
Boulton and Watt were two of five main players in the
Lunar Society, a loose-knit group of about 14 who met
in the English city of Birmingham. The others were
chemist Joseph Priestley who discovered oxygen,
potter Josiah Wedgwood, and Erasmus Darwin,
physician, poet and pioneer of evolution theory.
Researching their lives was a mammoth task. Jenny
had previously written biographies of English novelist
Elizabeth Gaskell (which led her indirectly to the
Lunar men Gaskells father was inspired by them)
and artist William Hogarth, but she found covering so
many lives a challenge.
Everybody has their separate stories until they meet
but the really exciting stories are when their lives
overlap. They are all very big characters and they are
all trying to upstage each other. But its also a story of
friendship and cooperation and mutual support. They
were friends for life. The chances of such an
extraordinary group coming together must have been
extremely slim but its almost because they were part
of the group that they became such high achievers. It
actually helped them on, she says.
Jenny believes the informal nature of the Lunar
Society (so named because its members would meet
on the full moon and travel home in the relative
safety of its light) encouraged experimentation and
radical new ideas. It was just before the period when
science acquired its own language and just before
the different disciplines split off and became
specialised. At the time it was called experimental
philosophy, whether you were collecting shells or
experimenting with gases. The societys interests
were broad ranging nobody thought it odd to be a
poet and a scientist at the same time and in
order to explain their ideas to each other or the
general public, scientists like Priestley use very
ordinary language about taste and touch and smell.
Jenny also explores the relationship between science
and commerce, which is perhaps best illustrated by
Boulton and Watt and the development of the steam
engine. Their partnership was established in 1774 and
lasted 25 years. Boulton provided the finance and the
workshop, Watt developed the engine and continued
to improve its performance over many years with aseries of inventions. Watt was dour while Boulton was
supremely confident, famously declaring: I sell, sire,
what all the world desires power.
what all the world desires
VISITING AUTHOR JENNY UGLOW TALKS ABOUTMATTHEW BOULTON AND JAMES WATT, AND THEIREXTRAORDINARILY SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP.story_JUDITH MATHESON
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POWERHOUSEMUSEUM SHOPOpen 7 days, 10.00 am 5.00 pm
For more information call (02) 9217 0331
Or email [email protected]. Delivery available.
Free gift wrapping. Gift selection service.
Comfortable browsing atmosphere.
Books, CDs, writing accessories,
art glass & ceramics, scarves &
textiles, jewellery and watches,
greeting cards, educational toys
powerhousemembersreceive10%o
ffselectedmerchandise
FROM LEFT: BRITISH AUTHOR JENNY UGLOW AND POWERHOUSE MUSEUM DIRECTOR KEVIN FEWSTER WITH THE BOULTON AND WATTSTEAM ENGINE IN MARCH. PHOTO BY MARINCO KOJDANOVSKI. A DRAWING OF THE MUSEUMS BOULTON AND WATT ENGINE. WHITBREADSLONDON BREWERY IN 1792. THE BOULTON AND WATT ENGINE WORKED IN THE BUILDING (CENTRE LEFT) FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS. IMAGECOURTESY OF WHITBREAD AND CO BREWERY.
Theirs was an amazing partnership, like Laurel and
Hardy, I cant now imagine one without the other,
says Jenny. Certainly Boulton was a great
entrepreneur. I dont know whether he would have
made money otherwise, but he would have had a go
at a million other things. He had an eye for new
things. Boulton was unstoppable. Watt was slow,
depressive and anxious about money. He had been
working on his ideas for eight years and I think he
would have given up without Boulton.
It appears Watts fears about money werent
unfounded. While the steam engine was being
developed Boulton hovered on the edge of
bankruptcy. At the time he was seen to be a great
financial success but in fact he ran on debt. If his
creditors had really put the squeeze on him that
would have been it. Thats why his charm was so
important. The files are full of letters that say things
like Well, I was just about to pay you back but the
most extraordinary thing has just happened What
Boulton realised with the steam engine was that you
needed a long period of R&D and you needed to put
money in and put money in and you mustnt expect
to get any out. And now we see that this is actually a
good business model.
Of course, Boulton and Watts steam engines were
eventually a huge success and both men became
wealthy and well respected. Their Soho manufactory
in Birmingham was a model of engineering
craftsmanship, manufacturing technique and
industrial practice.
In writing the book Jenny warmed to all the grand
Lunar men but has trouble singling out a favourite.
Im endlessly entertained by Joseph Priestley as
political leader and great scientist because he is so
open. I love the energy of Josiah Wedgwood. Boulton
would be my favourite character in a novel because
hes so unstoppable, so emotional. He never gives up
even when he is in his eighties. Watt the
hypochondriac outlived them all. Erasmus Darwin has
so many skills and a wonderfully playful imagination.
He was a huge man full of ideas. His thinking about
biological evolution was the great imaginative leap of
the day.
And who would cope best in todays times? Boulton
would be completely happy in the modern world
he would be a risk-taking entrepreneur with a laptop
and a mobile phone.
The Lunar men: the friends who made the future by
Jenny Uglow is published by Faber and Faber and is
available from the Powerhouse Museum Shop.
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Arthur de Ramon Penfold was the Museums fifth
curator (the equivalent of todays director) and
remains the longest serving. Appointed in 1927, he
had joined the Museum as a chemist in 1919. He
steered the Museum through the difficult years of the
Depression, the Second World War and post-war
reconstruction, all the while arguing for a new site, a
new building and a new recognition of the Museum
as an institution of national importance.
In 1939 he embarked on a six-month tour of museums
in Europe and the United States and returned with a
host of new ideas and a vision for a modern museum
of applied science, arts and industry for Sydney. He
outlined this vision 18 months later in an address tothe Royal Australian Institute of Architects (as
reported in Architecture1941): It has been found
necessary to humanise and to dramatise the story of
Science and Industry in a modern museum. It is also
imperative to show the social and economic
significance as well as the practical application of the
various technical exhibits.
As a result of his overseas tour Penfold
recommended that 90 per cent of the Museums
collection go into storage and that there be a rigid
separation of the Museum into exhibitions with broad
general interest and reserve collections for study
purposes. He advocated changing displays regularly;
introducing temporary exhibitions and making the
interior design of galleries flexible.
Penfold was most inspired by museums that used
working models and encouraged visitors to interact
with exhibits. Both these concepts remain
fundamental to the Powerhouse to this day. He also
embraced the new technology of television and laid
the groundwork for the Museums subsequent
acquisition of the illuminated plastic woman, which
was one of the Museums most popular exhibits
during the late 1950s and 60s and is still on display.
Penfold had successfully applied for _1000 through
the New York-based Carnegie Corporations Visiting
Grants Scheme in 1934. However, the government of
the day was reluctant to let him go. It was only after
considerable lobbying from members of the
Museums Advisory Committee that permission wasgranted largely because, by 1938, planning for a new
Museum of Science and Industry to replace the old
Technological Museum had begun.
On 28 January 1939 Penfold, accompanied by his wife
Eunice and daughter Dulcie, sailed to England and,
after spending time in London, toured Scotland and
Wales before travelling on to Paris and then to
Germany, Italy and the United States. The
Powerhouse Museum archives have extensive
holdings of Penfolds papers giving us an insight into
his observations not just of museums but of the
politics and society of the day.
Penfold kept a detailed if at times frustratingly
concise diary of his activities: thus on 26 April 1939
he visited the Museum of Practical Geology in
London and found it very admirable, particularly the
curved showcases and magnificent dioramas; on 27
April he went to the British Museum of Natural History
good showcases, good colour scheme, good labels
and good background to cases; and on 30 April to
the Victoria and Albert where only the refreshment
room attracted particular notice [a] disgrace; staff
inadequate; place should be closed.
At the Science Museum, he was taken with the
director, Colonel EEB Mackintosh, a military man
(Engineer) wore spats very fine active man, with
excellent knowledge of Museum. Their conversation
was wide ranging discussing the proposed new
museum in Sydney, sites, staffs, showcases, working
models, heights of buildings, lavatories recommended aero engine design for new building.
In Italy, Penfold was impressed by Mussolini a great
man for what he has accomplished for his country. In
Germany he was glowing about the achievements of
the National Socialists, Frankly, we can learn a great
deal from the Germans; how a nation manages that is
supposed to have no money and yet carry out large
works and educational schemes is beyond the
comprehension of any Britisher.
Penfold wrote enthusiastically to his colleague at the
Museum, TC Roughley, about the Deutsches Museum
and its nine miles of exhibits, the comprehensive
displays, there are no gaps to be filled, the lavish
use of working models and the sectioned models the
best I have seen. He commented on the marvellous
photographic and x-ray departments: There was a
stories from the archives
ON THE EVE OF WORLD WAR II, MUSEUM DIRECTOR A R PENFOLDVISITED MUSEUMS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AND RETURNEDWITH A VISION FOR A MODERN SCIENCE MUSEUM.
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OPPOSITE PAGE: THIS PHOTOGRAPH OF HARRIS STREET, ULTIMO,WAS TAKEN IN ABOUT 1930 BY THE MUSEUMS ECONOMICZOOLOGIST FROM ONE OF THE UPPER FLOORS OF THETECHNOLOGY MUSEUM. FACTORIES HAVE REPLACED MUCH OFTHE HOUSING IN SURROUNDING STREETS WHILE IN THE DISTANCETHE CHIMNEYS OF THE ULTIMO POWER HOUSE BLANKET THESUBURB WITH COAL DUST. IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT PENFOLD,LIKE HIS PREDECESSORS, THOUGHT THE MUSEUM IN A VERYPOOR LOCATION ALTHOUGH IT MIGHT BE VERY DIFFICULT TOMOVE IT WAS WELL WORTH TRYING, IN VIEW OF THE VERYSTRONG PUBLIC FEELING REGARDING ITS PRESENTUNSATISFACTORY LOCATION. PHOTO FROM MUSEUM ARCHIVES.
THIS PAGE: PENFOLD WAS VERY TAKEN WITH THE ILLUMINATEDPEOPLE DISPLAYS HE SAW OVERSEAS. HIS INTEREST EVENTUALLYLED TO THE ACQUISITION OF THE TRANSPARENT WOMAN IN THELATE 1950S. SHE HAS BEEN ON DISPLAY EVER SINCE. PHOTO BYGEOFF FRIEND.
INCLUDED IN PENFOLDS PAPERS ARE A NUMBER OFPHOTOGRAPHS OF MUSEUM DISPLAYS . THIS ONE SHOWS THEVICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM IN LONDON.
PENFOLD IN HIS OFFICE IN THE 1940S. PHOTO FROM MUSEUMARCHIVES.
machine there which took your photo, developed the
negative, printed a copy and passed it out to you
through a slot.
Two years before his visit the Museum had opened a
new hall of motor travel dedicated to the Fuhrer.
Penfold found the collection impressive, every one is
in perfect condition. Not one shows faulty or even
worn tyres and the finish of the chassis is like new.
He also noted the choice locations of many German
museums. These people have a decided advantage
over us they are now able to use Palaces that have
been vacated by various Monarchs for Museum
purposes You will understand that my European
ideal for a modern science museum for Sydney ishardly the model which our educational authorities
will approve of.
From Europe, Penfold returned to London and then
flew to the United States of America. Arriving first in
New York he visited the Worlds Fair where he
concentrated on the technical exhibits. He spoke
highly of the New York Science Museum an amazing
museum for there is little or nothing that is not
operated or worked by the visitor. In Philadelphia he
found the Franklin Institute and Museum inspirational
with its extensive use of working exhibits, spectacular
plastics display and original chemistry exhibits.
However, he cautioned against overuse of push
buttons with the observation that numbers of visitors
pushed the buttons and did not wait to observe the
results. Penfold was impressed by the fabulous
shops that lined Americas main streets. An untitled
talk in his surviving papers urges museum directors
to offer displays as if you had a frontage to Fifth
Avenue, New York.
As well as bringing back new ideas about the design
of museum buildings and exhibitions, Penfold brought
back ideas for new exhibits. In London he had
witnessed a BBC television broadcast and began
talking to television manufacturers about a display for
the Museum. At the Museum of Hygiene in Germany
he saw an illuminated man and in New York and
Chicago illuminated women, displays that ultimately
led to the Museums acquisition of the plastic
woman. Just as significantly, for the next 20 years hesustained a lively correspondence with a wide range
of museum directors, curators, research scientists
and businessmen that he met on the trip.
Penfold returned to Australia on 3 October 1939, just
one month after Germany invaded Poland. A poignant
collection of letters survives in Penfolds archives from
museum colleagues he had met in Europe who were
desperately trying to find sponsors overseas. There is
no record of Penfold providing assistance.
Penfold retired in 1955, his vision for a modern
science museum unrealised. However many of his
ideas came to fruition in the decades that followed.
Kimberley Webber, Senior Curator, Australian History
In September 2004 the institution we now know
as the Powerhouse Museum will begin
celebrations for its 125th anniversary. In the
lead up to those celebrations Powerlinehas
published a series of ar ticles about significant
events, people, collections and projects from
our long and distinguished history. This is the
third article in the series.
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One of the Powerhouse Museums most popular
characters is Hans the storyteller. Members and
regular Museum visitors will have encountered Hansleading tours in one of his many guises: Hans the
innkeeper of Gratz who told tales of magic and
chivalry, Hans the raconteur migrant who began life
working on the Snowy Mountain Scheme, or perhaps
Hans the film director explaining the wonderful world
of special effects.
So who is Hans? He is one of many characters
created by actor Nigel Sutton. Nigel first became
involved in museum theatre in 1990 when he joined
an acting company attached to the Museum of the
Moving Image in London. At MOMI, film came to life
as professional actors delivered first person
interpretations in the galleries. In this environment
Nigel was able to spend time with directors to
develop his characters. On returning to Australia
Nigel noticed that very little theatre was beingperformed in museums. But what was happening was
very exciting and experimental.
He began performing at the Earth Exchange at the
Rocks and was spotted by Powerhouse Museum
education officers who invited him to perform at theMint Museum (part of the Museum at the time). In
1996, he created Dr Goldfinger for the Mint. Nigels
first character at the Powerhouse was Captain Quirk,
quizmaster of the great space, fact and fantasy trivia
quiz, created for the Star Trek exhibition in 1998. With
his next character, Nigel really found his mark. Hans
the innkeeper took visitors on live interpretive tours of
the Knights of Imperial Austria exhibition for an
amazing 16-week run! What made these tours special
was that no two were ever exactly alike. They were
unscripted and often ran overtime. Tour numbers
swelled up to 100.
Asked why Hans was so popular Nigel replies, You
have to create a character that is truly passionate
and interested in the topic so they can engage the
audience. Hans was so believable that staff actuallythought I came with the exhibition from Austria and
were shocked when I spoke without the accent.
Over the years, many members have grown up with
Hans. He now has a mini-fan club that keeps coming
back for performances. I have noticed that eventhough the children get older and realise that I am
actually an actor playing a character they still interact
with the character and they dont spoil the
experience for their brothers and sisters. It is
important that you create a positive emotional
experience to the museum visit, Nigel says. While
performing at a corporate function recently a woman
recognised Nigel as the character Hans. She began
telling me how her son now buys museum catalogues
and creates interpretive stories from them. So you
can say museum theatre does work.
Hans is not Nigels only character. There was Krispin
K, the trend detective and Dan Flash, the sports
commentator. Another of Nigels characters was
TORK2U, the talking robot (pictured). As part of his
performance he would ask children in the audienceto program him. Quite often we would end up
hearing amazing stories on the meaning of life.
the storytellers storyHANS THE STORYTELLER IS A POPULAR CHARACTER AT THEMUSEUM. WE MEET THE REAL HANS: ACTOR NIGEL SUTTON.story_MICHAEL VAN TIEL, EDUCATION OFFICER photo_SUE STAFFORD
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Unique examples of lace from the Orange region,
brought to light by local curator Brenda Grey,
complemented a display of lace from the Powerhouse
Museums collection at the Orange Regional Gallery in
February. The exhibition Layers of lacefeatured a
charming collection of local christening gowns, which
stole the show, as well as many interesting examples
of lace from collars to fashionable 1950s weddingdresses.
Lace specialist and former Powerhouse curator
Rosemary Shepherd and I assisted with the project
and ran packed weekend workshops for lace
identification and lace making. Workshops on the
conservation of lace were organised a couple of
weeks later by Powerhouse conservator Suzanne
Chee, who also demonstrated techniques for the
display and mounting of textiles. by the end of the
day participants had plenty of ideas on how to clean,
store, organise and display their treasures.
The Orange Regional Gallery is an inspiring local
centre for the arts and, supported by the local
council, achieves an excellent program of exhibitions
with a hard-working team of local enthusiasts. This
exhibition was a community-based show that drew on
objects from local museums and private collectors.
The Layers of laceexhibition is part of an ongoing
program to support movable heritage collections in
New South Wales and is designed to promote the
development and documentation of regional
collections. It was delivered as part of the Regional
Services program at the Powerhouse.
To date these collaborative projects with regional
organisations have focused on agricultural, timber,textile, and migration heritage collections and their
links to the Powerhouse Museums collection.
The program is part of a broader initiative to create
opportunities for curators, collection managers,
conservators, teachers, students and historians in
regional areas to undertake collection-based
research. It aims to encourage projects that identify
significant objects and collections across NSW and
increase knowledge and understanding of moveable
heritage.
Lindie Ward, Assitant Curator InternationalDecorative Arts and Design
layers of lace
OUR COLLABORATION WITH A REGIONALMUSEUM SHOWCASES BEAUTIFUL LACE.
ABOVE: POWERHOUSE MUSEUM CONSERVATOR SUZANNE
CHEE (IN RED) RUNS A WORKSHOP FOR LOCALENTHUSIASTS. BELOW: CHRISTENING GOWNS FROM THEORANGE DISTRICT. PHOTOS BY JEAN-FRANCOISLANZARONE.
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legends of
the Greeks
watchingthe transit
To celebrate the 2004 Athens OlympicGames, Sydney Observatory payshomage to Greek astronomers.
Many of the constellation
names and words we use to
describe what we observe in
the night sky have their origins
in ancient Greek astronomy.
The ancient Greek word for
star is astro, making
astronomy the study of the
stars. They recognised three
types of stars in the night sky:
fixed stars, wandering stars
and hairy stars. Constellations
were made up of fixed stars.
Today we use the same basic
shapes used by the Greeks,
including their many myths
and stories. Moving among the
constellations were the Sun,
Moon and five stars that the
Greeks called asteres planetai
(wandering stars) leading to
the modern term planet. The
five visible planets are
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter
and Saturn. From time to time
a star that appeared hairy
could be seen. The Greeks
called them komEtEs (hairy
one), which became comet.
The ancient Olympic Games
began in 776 BC. Like Easter,
the Olympics were a movable
festival that used both a Moon
and Sun calendar to set a
date. The date was
determined by counting eight
full moons, starting with the
first full moon after the winter
solstice. For the northern
hemisphere the winter solstice
occurs on 22 December,
making a day in July or August
the date on which the
Olympics commenced.
In modern times we think of
astronomy purely as a science,
forgetting it is a part of our
cultural heritage and everyday
lives. To celebrate the opening
of the 2004 Athens Olympic
Games on 13 August, the
Observatory will hold two
Legends of the Greeks nights
on 5 and 12 August. For
bookings and more
information, phone (02) 9217
0485.
Dr Martin Anderson
The transit of Venus is a
pivotal event in Australianhistory. It was the transit of
1769 which brought James
Cook to the South Pacific and
then on to claim NSW for
England. The following transit
in 1874 was an important event
in Sydney Observatorys own
history.
To mark the 2004 transit of
Venus, the first in over a
century, Sydney Observatory
will present an exhibition
featuring original material from
Cooks voyage (opening 5
June) and a series of lectures
and events surrounding thetransit on 8 June. Objects on
display include an
extraordinary regulator clock,
possibly used by Cook to time
the 1769 transit, which is onloan from the Science
Museum in London. The clock
was made by John Shelton
during a period of great
advances in time-keeping and
navigation. The loan was made
possible by the Bruce and Joy
Reid Foundation.
On the day of the transit, join
curator of astronomy Dr Nick
Lomb at the Observatory for
an introduction and transit
viewing from 2.45pm until
sunset, followed by live
webcasts from around the
world.
For more information, costs
and bookings phone (02) 9217
0485.
ob
serve+
SEE THE TRANSIT OF VENUS, AND ITEMS THATTRAVELLED ON COOKS 1769 VOYAGE.
THIS CLOCK, WHICH MAY HAVE BEENUSED ON COOKS 1769 PACIFICVOYAGE TO TIME THE TRANSIT OFVENUS, WILL BE ON DISPLAY ATSYDNEY OBSERVATORY FROM 5 JUNE.PHOTO COURTESY SCIENCEMUSEUM/SSPL.
DETAIL OF AN ORRERY (MODEL OF THE PLANETS) AT SYDNEY OBSERVATORY.PHOTO BY JEAN-FRANCOIS LANZARONE.Z
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THE POWERHOUSE MUSEUM GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGESTHE SUPPORT OF THE FOLLOWING ORGANISATIONS
AUSTRALIAN POSTERS
SPORT: MORE THAN HEROES & LEGENDS
GRAND MARNIER
NINETIES TO NOW: FASHION OF THE YEARRETROSPECTIVE
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
SPORT: MORE THAN HEROES & LEGENDS
ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA, SYDNEY DIVISION
ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE 2003
METRO MONORAIL
SPORT: MORE THAN HEROES & LEGENDS
MINCOM LIMITED
LIFE FELLOWS DINNER 2004
NIKON
SYDNEY OBSERVATORY
SBS
GAMBLING IN AUSTRALIA: THRILLS, SPILLSAND SOCIAL ILLS
SCHENKER STINNES LOGISTICS
OUR PLACE:INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIA NOW
SOUNDHOUSE MUSIC ALLIANCE
SOUNDHOUSE MUSIC AND MULTI MEDIALABORATORY
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
SYDNEY DESIGN WEEK
TRANSGRID
PACIFIC SOLAR PROJECT
TRIPLE M
SPORT: MORE THAN HEROES & LEGENDS
WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS
SPORT: MORE THAN HEROES & LEGENDS
YAMAHA MUSIC AUSTRALIA
YAMAHA DISKLAVIER GRAND PIANO
ARAB BANK AUSTRALIA
TREASURES OF PALESTINE
NOVOTEL SYDNEY ON DARLING HARBOUR
OFFICIAL SYDNEY HOTEL
REBEL SPORT
SPORT: MORE THAN HEROES & LEGENDS
SYDNEY AIRPORT
LAWRENCE HARGRAVE: AUSTRALIASPIONEER AVIATOR
3D CLINIC
SPORT: MORE THAN HEROES & LEGENDS
THE POWERHOUSE MUSEUM IS ASTATUTORY AUTHORITY OF, AND
PRINCIPALLY FUNDED BY,THE NSW STATE GOVERNMENT.
CASINO COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUND NSW AUSTRALIA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS
AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH COUNCIL
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT ANDHERITAGE
BOEING AUSTRALIA
CAPITAL TECHNIC GROUP
INTEL AUSTRALIA
LOGICA CMG
MASSMEDIA STUDIOS
NSW DEPARTMENT OF LANDS
TASCO
TRANSGRID
ARAB BANK AUSTRALIA
BIMBADGEN ESTATE
DUNLOP FLOORING AUSTRALIA
P&O NEDLLOYD
ROYAL DOULTON AUSTRALIA
SCHENKER AUSTRALIA
SWAROVSKI INTERNATIONAL (AUST)
THE RACI INC, NSW BRANCH
WEIR WARMAN LTD
WORMALD
VINCENT FAIRFAX FAMILY FOUNDATION
SPORT: MORE THAN HEROES & LEGENDS SPORT: MORE THAN HEROES & LEGENDS DICK SMITH AUSTRALIAN EXPLORER BELL206B JETRANGER III HELICOPTER
INTEL YOUNG SCIENTIST 2003,SOUNDHOUSE AND ONLINE PROJECTS
COLES THEATRE, TARGET THEATRE,GRACE BROS COURTYARD, K MARTSTUDIOS
ECOLOGIC: CREATING A SUSTAINABLEFUTURE
STEAM LOCOMOTIVE 3830STEAM LOCOMOTIVE 3265
POWERHOUSE WIZARD
+principal partners
+senior partners
+partners
+supporters
+founding corporate members +landmark corporate members +foundations
+ state government partners
DICK SMITH
+australian government partners
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND GIVING TO THE POWERHOUSE MUSEUM PLEASE CONTACT MIRANDA PURNELL ON (02) 9217 0577.
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Give a gift membership+
Sport: more than heroes and legends
LEVEL 4, UNTIL 18 JULY 2004
Discover the triumphs, the fashion, the
science and the passion of sport. This
interactive exhibition brings together
material from 60 different sports put
yourself to the test, find out the latest
in improving performance, and uncover
sporting myths and secrets. Special
admission prices apply.Closing soon dont miss out!
Gambling in Australia:
thrills, spills and social ills
LEVEL 3, UNTIL 10 OCTOBER 2004
Why are Australians such enthusiastic
gamblers? Gambling in Australialooks
at the past and present of gambling in
all its major forms the lotteries,
racetracks, the Tote and TAB, hotels,
licensed clubs and casinos.
Nineties to now:
Fashion of the Year retrospective
LEVEL 3, UNTIL 18 JULY 2004
From glamour to grunge, power suits to
hippie chic rediscover must-have
fashion from the 1990s to now. See
designs by John Galliano for Christian
Dior, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Versace,Marni, Akira Isogawa, sass & bide and
Collette Dinnigan.
Student fashion
LEVEL 3, UNTIL 18 JULY 2004
Award-winning designs by students
from Sydneys top fashion schools.
Beirut to Baghdad
LEVEL 3, 18 JUNE 2004 30 JANUARY2005
Beautiful objects from the Museums
collection, representing the countries of
Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Jordan and
Iraq. Memories and associations of
Arabic-speaking Australians inspired
by the collection provide a
community voice.
exhibitions atSydney Observatory
Transit of Venus
FROM 5 JUNE 2004
Looks at the astronomical and
historical significance of the transit of
Venus and features material from
James Cooks South Pacific voyages.
travelling exhibitions
Our place: Indigenous Australia now
BENAKI MUSEUM, ATHENS, GREECE
1 JULY 5 SEPTEMBER 2004
Intel Young Scientist 2003
MACQUARIE REGIONAL LIBRARY, DUBBO3 JUNE 21 JULY 2004
HASTINGS LIBRARY, PORT MACQUARIE24 JULY 22 AUGUST 2004
NEWCASTLE REGIONAL MUSEUM25 AUGUST 26 SEPTEMBER 2004
Works wonders: stories about home
remedies
VISITOR CENTRE, BREWARRINA29 MAY 28 JUNE 2004
BUSH NURSES COTTAGE, LIGHTNINGRIDGE3 JULY 16 AUGUST 2004
exhibitions at a glanceJUNE_JULY_AUGUST 2004
FROM LEFT: NEW CAPTIONS TO COME.
www.powerhousemuseum.com
Sydney design week5_15 AUGUST 2004
Contemporary silver: made in Italy
LEVEL 3, 5 AUGUST 2004 13 FEBRUARY2005
A showcase of the best silverware
made in Italy during the last three
decades of the 20th century. Features
the work of renowned Italian designersand silversmithing studios as well as
objects designed by international
architects and designers.
Australian Design Awards
LEVEL 4, SUCCESS AND INNOVATIONGALLERY, FROM 3 JULY 2004
See the new Powerhouse Museum
Selection from the Australian Design
Awards 2004.
The Sydney Morning Herald Young
Designer of the Year Award
LEVEL 2, 5 15 AUGUST 2004
A preview of the design stars of the
future.
Engineering Excellence
LEVEL 4, SUCCESS AND INNOVATIONGALLERY, UNTIL NOVEMBER 2004
Outstanding engineering projects fromthe Engineers Australia (Sydney
Division) Engineering Excellence
awards.
Treasured timbers
LEVEL 5, UNTIL 1 AUGUST 2004
Features the work of three Tasmanian
furniture makers who work with timber
in very different ways.
Moving the mail
LEVEL 2, TRANSPORT EXHIBITION
See how Australians communicated in
the days before email. This exhibition
also examines how postage stamps
have been produced and collected
over the years.
TURN OVER FOR DETAILS
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Powerhouse MembershipIt makes a great gift!
I wish to join Powerhouse Members I wish to renew my membership
Membership number (if renewing):
INDIVIDUAL 1 year 2 years 3 yearsStandard $60 $108 $153
Concession/country* $30 $54 $77
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*Concession applies to full-time students, seniors, pensioners, unemployed.
Country members must live more than 150 km from Sydney GPO.
HOUSEHOLD** 1 year 2 years 3 yearsStandard $85 $153 $217
Country/concession $50 $90 $127
** A household is up to two adults and all students under 18 years at the same address. Country
households must be more than 150 km from Sydney GPO. Concession applies to full-time students,
seniors, pensioners, unemployed and all adults in the household must be eligible for concession.
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from thecollection
This Tiwi ceramic figure
represents Purukaparli with the
spirit of his dead son Jinani. In
the geographically isolated
Tiwi (we people) islands of
Bathurst and Melville in the
north, the tragic events
surrounding the ancestral
being Purukaparli are probably
the best known, as they deal
with the origins of death and
the passages and phases ofthe sun and the moon.
Moonbeams and coral:
Purukaparlis griefwas
designed and made by Mark
Puautjimi of Tiwi Design, Nguiu,
Bathurst Island, Northern
Territory, Australia, 1999. It will
feature in Our place:
Indigenous Australia now, an
exhibition developed by the
Powerhouse Museum and
Museum Victoria, which opens
in Athens on 1 July as part of
the Cultural Olympiad program
for the 2004 Athens Olympic
Games.
Exhibition supported by
Schenk