the magazine of the powerhouse museum spring 08

plunge into
modern times
CONTENTS POWERPICKS
ISSUE 91
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER 2008

02 From the director from the director

03 Powerpicks
06 New exhibition: League of Legends
08 Museums in the 21st century strengthen our relevance to
09 Members news audiences.
10 Members calendar Over the coming months the
11 Exhibitions at a glance Museum will further develop the
12 Chinese belt toggles key themes that have emerged
13 Stepping out: three centuries of shoes from these discussions.
14 Modern times: public swimming pools Participants wanted to see a
16 Sydney Observatory museum that engaged more
17 Powerhouse Discovery Centre effectively with its audiences.
18 Foundation news They saw opportunities to use
technology to develop new
levels of interactivity with visitors
both at the Museum and online.
They recognised that emerging
technologies will enable a more
One of the most stimulating rapid exchange of information
COVER
From Modern times: experiences of my first months and will offer immense
the untold Story of at the Powerhouse has been opportunities for learning.
modernism in Australia.
Image © STate of Victoria.
the sharing of ideas about the While museums importantly
Reproduced with the Museum’s future directions reference the past,
permission of the keeper
of public records, public
with a range of staff, industry participants saw a role for this
record office victoria, specialists, academics and Museum in explaining and
australia. representatives from other interpreting some of the future
agencies. During May, three challenges we face. Above
Future Directions forums all the forums recognised
discussed the Museum’s the unique opportunities the
purpose, direction and capacity Powerhouse has to enhance our
in our rapidly changing world. understanding of the potential
The stimulating discussions for technology to provide
were characterised by their answers for a sustainable
passion and commitment to the future. I can scarcely think of a
Museum, a refreshing candour more challenging or rewarding
in relation to our strengths and opportunity.
Trustees
weaknesses and a commitment
to ensure we sustain and
Dr Dawn Casey PSM FAHA
Director
happy birthday Sydney Observatory
Dr Nicholas G Pappas, President
Dr Anne Summers AO, Deputy President
Professor Shirley Alexander On the first weekend in June the Welcome to Country. Predictions are the flagstaff
Mr Mark Bouris Sydney Observatory celebrated At midday exactly the time will stand for 100 years or more
Ms Trisha Dixon 150 years of astronomy, ball dropped, a loud cannon and is sure to become a well
Where to find us Editorial
Mr Mark Nicholaeff meteorology and education. sounded and the first set of recognised Sydney landmark.
Ms Margaret Seale Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Powerline is produced by the Despite wet weather more than state, maritime, astronomical The daily messages that
Mr Anthony Sukari Street, Darling Harbour, Sydney Print Media Department 3000 visitors came along over and meteorological flags to Sydneysiders will see flying high
Ms Judith Wheeldon Opening hours 10.00 am – 5.00 of the Powerhouse Museum the four days of celebrations. fly anywhere in the world include the expected maximum
pm every day (except Christmas PO Box K346, Above: Flags flying high And for the first time in over were raised. The flagstaff was temperature for the city, the
Day). School holiday opening Haymarket NSW 1238 on Observatory Hill. 70 years flags flew high on dedicated to the memory of Mr current phase of the Moon, and
Senior Management Below: Mr David Reid (left)
hours 9.30 am – 5.00 pm Editor
and the Hon Frank Sartor Observatory Hill from a 30 metre Bruce Reid (1922 – 2005). visible planet constellations. The
Dr Dawn Casey PSM FAHA, unveil the dedication
flagstaff, a birthday present The flagstaff was made from trick will of course be in reading
Director Contact details Tracy Goulding plaque. Mr Sartor
officially launched the from the Bruce and Joy Reid two separate trees which grew the different combinations
flagstaff. Photos by
Jennifer Sanders, Postal address Design
Marinco Kojdanovski Foundation. in the Piccaninny Creek region of flags but don’t worry, a
Deputy Director, Collections, content PO Box K346 Trigger The highlight of the weekend near Grafton. Local carpenter colour decoder wheel ready
development and Outreach
Haymarket NSW 1238 Photography
was a dedication ceremony George Oxenbridge led a to download, print and use will
Mark Goggin, Telephone (02) 9217 0111 for the flagstaff, with special team of craftsmen, fashioning be on the Sydney Observatory
Associate Director, marketing, programs and
Powerhouse Museum unless
Infoline (02) 9217 0444 guests including Mr David Reid, the wood into shape in the website very soon.
commercial services otherwise stated.
Education (02) 9217 0222 Treasurer of the Foundation, traditional way. It was delivered Happy birthday Sydney
Kevin Sumption, Every effort has been made to locate and the Hon Frank Sartor to the Observatory at 3 am on Observatory! But more is to
Associate Director, Exhibition services and powerhousemuseum.com owners of copyright for the images
MP, Minister for the Arts. The 16 May amidst much excitement. come as 2009 will see the
digital multimedia in this publication. Any inquiries
The Powerhouse Museum, part of the should be directed to the Rights and flagstaff was welcomed to James Wilson-Miller accepted International Year of Astronomy
Keith Edwards, Permissions Officer, Powerhouse
Associate Director, corporate and financial
Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences
Museum. its new home with a smoking a living seedling from one of launched here in Sydney at
also incorporating Sydney
services Observatory and the powerhouse ceremony conducted by the donor trees, which will be midnight on new year’s eve.
ISSN 1030-5750 © Trustees of the
discovery centre, is a NSW Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences Budjedi Elder Uncle Max Eulo, planted in the grounds of the A night not to be missed!
government cultural institution.
while Powerhouse curator Powerhouse Discovery Centre at For details check www.
powerhousemuseum.com James Wilson-Miller gave Castle Hill. sydneyobservatory.com.

2 powerline SPRING 08 powerline SPRING 08 3

POWERPICKS
online
collection wins
awards
The Powerhouse Museum
has long been recognised as
a trailblazer in web related
matters. Since the Museum’s
online public access catalogue
(OPAC) was established in June
2006, web visitation has tripled
and we’ve had some 30 million
object records accessed. Earlier
this year this success was
recognised when the Museum
became the recipient of two
prestigious web awards.
The first was the 2008
American Association of
Museums (AAM) Muse Awards
gold ‘online presence’ award
for our online catalogue. While
museum collections have been
online for many years, they
have been primarily aimed
at scholars and researchers.
Describing the Powerhouse
OPAC as ‘an exemplary site’, the
AAM judges praised its ‘easy-
to-use, transparent interface
that offers consistent and
near-instantaneous feedback
and results ... opening the bank
vault of the museum to visitors,
enthusiasts, and researchers.’
This was followed in June,
when Business Review Weekly
announced that the Powerhouse
OPAC was among the top 100
web 2.0 applications in Australia.
In congratulating the Web
Services team led by manager
Seb Chan, Dr Casey said ‘OPAC
exemplifies what can be
achieved through astute vision
and an enthusiasm to adopt and
develop innovative technologies,
allowing us to communicate with
our audiences and involve them
with the collection.’
4 powerline SPRING 08
the ‘Oz frock’
Above: The ‘Oz frock’
printed silk, Swarovski
crystals, and beads,
designed by Pamela
Easton and Lydia
Pearson, 2008. Gift The Weekend Australian
of The Weekend
Australian Magazine, Magazine recently turned 20, as
2008. photo by marinco did the internationally renowned
kojdanovski.
below: web services Brisbane-based design label
manager seb chan in an Easton Pearson. To celebrate
opac training session
with Powerhouse staff. the joint anniversary the
magazine commissioned Easton
Pearson to design the ‘Oz frock’
(pictured here), which they
then generously donated to the
Powerhouse Museum.
The dress features a print
based on newspaper text from
the first edition of the Australian
Magazine. This is overlayed with
wattle sprigs, a reference to the
famous Norman Hartnell wattle
dress worn by Queen Elizabeth
on her first visit to Australia in
1954. It is finished with hand
beading and tiny Swarovski
crystals by Easton Pearson’s
master embroiderer in Mumbai.
The dress is now on display in
winning sky
photos
Don’t miss an amazing display
of astronomy photos on at the
Observatory until 12 October.
Included are the winners and
selected entries from the David
Malin Awards, a competition
open to amateur astronomers
and photographers from around
Australia. The photos were
judged by world renowned
astrophotographer Dr David
Malin and were selected not just
for their technical skill but the
extent to which they captured
the beauty of the night sky.
Shown here is the overall
winning photo taken by Martin
Pugh, ‘The Lambda Cen Nebula
in Centaurus’. In selecting
the photo David Malin wrote:
‘In broadband images this
nebula is a bland patch of red
with distinctive globules of
dust. However demonstrating
his versatility, Martin used
narrowband filters in his 12.5 inch
telescope ... for a terrific result’
Other outstanding images on
display include ‘Five Stages of a
Lunar Eclipse’ and the amazing
‘Sombrero Hat Galaxy’.
The David Malin Awards are organised by the
Central West Astronomical Society as part of
their annual AstroFest held at Parkes NSW.
Supported by Canon Australia
the Inspired! Design across time
exhibition and is an important
addition to the Museum’s
fashion collection, which already
includes a number of Easton
Pearson designs.
Their collections draw on
eclectic sources of inspiration
ranging from traditional
textiles to old movies. Using
predominantly natural fibres,
their work often features
embroidered, beaded,
appliquéd and sequinned
fabrics handcrafted by skilled
artisans in India, Hong Kong and
Vietnam. Garment production
is completed in their studio
in Brisbane. Their distinctive
collections are now sold
through some of the world’s top
boutiques.
To see more Easton Pearson
designs in the collection visit
powerhousemuseum.com/
collection/database
Sharp support
Long-term supporters, Sharp
Corporation of Australia recently
made a generous donation
of almost 50 new multimedia
products. The TVs, projectors, DVD
players and home theatre systems
will be put to great use in our
exhibitions, theatres and public
programs, ensuring that Australia’s
premier Museum of science and
design maintains its reputation for
state-of-the-art technology.
designboom
A highlight of Sydney Design 08 was the
first Australian designboom mart, held at
the Powerhouse in conjunction with our own
Young Blood: Designers Market. Curated
and presented by the leading independent
online publication designboom, designboom
marts have been staged at design festivals
around the world including New York, Tokyo,
Seoul and Stockholm. In Sydney it was an
opportunity to meet a group of international
designers, talk to them about their work
and make some fabulous purchases. As
designboom co-founder Birgit Lohman
explains, design markets bring design to the
people:
‘It took designboom five years of planning
and promotion to be able to host the first
one. At that time, people thought design
was something elitist. The idea of a bazaar-
like environment, with designers offering
and promoting their own creations to not
necessarily ‘design-conscious’ visitors was
seen as unacceptable. But when [it] was a
success, the mentality of people changed.
In these curated events designers
have the opportunity to meet with
customers, manufacturers, distributors,
press and museum curators to discuss
their work. Visitors have the opportunity
to meet designers, ask questions
and purchase their favourite design. From
wall to wall stalls, each international design
professional personally presents their design
items. The affordable designs help fund their
trip (in this case to Sydney) and provide a
showcase otherwise unavailable to young
designers.’
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NEW EXHIBITION
An exhibition celebrating the
centenary of Australian rugby league
began with the acquisition of one the
game’s most significant artefacts
one hundred years later
Story Guy Hansen, Senior Curator, National Museum of Australia
September is a good month for
rugby league fans. Not only is
the footy season coming to a
climax, but the National Museum
of Australia’s travelling exhibition
League of Legends: 100 years
of Rugby League in Australia
is coming to the Powerhouse
Museum.
The story of the exhibition,
begins in late 2004 when the
National Museum acquired
the Royal Agricultural Society
Challenge Shield. This trophy,
a beautiful black mahogany
shield embossed with silver,
was the first premiership shield
of the NSW Rugby League. It
was in competition from 1908
to 1913 when the Agricultural
Showground, or ‘Agra’ as it was
known, was the home of rugby
league in Sydney.
The shield was won by
South Sydney in 1908 and 1909,
Newtown in 1910 and Eastern
Suburbs in 1911, 1912 and 1913.
After winning the competition in
1913, Eastern Suburbs presented
the shield to their star captain
Herbert ‘Dally’ Messenger. This
connection with the genesis of
rugby league in Australia and
the game’s first superstar makes
the shield one of the most
important rugby league objects
held in a public collection in
Australia.
Acquiring the shield led to
further research about what
other material had survived
from the early days of league
in this country. Inquiries quickly
revealed that the Australian
6 powerline SPRING 08
Rugby League headquarters
in Phillip St, Sydney, is a
treasure house of the game’s
history. Its corridors are lined
with photographs and football
ephemera, and its display cases
are crammed with trophies.
This collection, combined with
material from the Queensland
Rugby League, private collectors
and the families of former
players, provided the basis
for the League of Legends
exhibition.
On display are some of the
great trophies of the game.
One of the most iconic is the
Winfield Cup which was the
premiership trophy for the NSW
Rugby League from 1982 until
1994. The trophy’s design draws
its inspiration from the classic
rugby league image of Arthur
Summons and Norm Provan
immediately after the 1963 grand
final between Western Suburbs
and St George. Taken by the
Sun-Herald’s John O’Gready, the
image of the two rugby league
warriors locked in a post-match
embrace has become a symbol
of the game.
Other significant trophies
include the Ashes Cup and
the Australie-France Trophée.
Celebrating the golden age
of international rugby league,
these trophies are reminders
of the great test battles
between Australia, Great Britain
and France in the 1950s. The
Great Britain team, the Lions,
have been Australia’s greatest
international rivals in rugby
league. In 124 contests between
them, Australia has won 65, lost
55 and drawn four.
The Australie-France Trophée
was contested in matches
between Australia and France
from 1951 to 1981. The French
sides of 1951 and 1955, featuring
the legendary fullback Puig
Aubert, were victorious and
are often rated as two of
the strongest sides to tour
Australia. This was a remarkable
achievement given that the
Vichy government banned rugby
league in France during World
War 2.
As well as the great trophies
of the game, League of Legends
also features many memorable
film clips and photographs of
players and fans. The photos
bear testament to the great
teams and personalities of
the past, and the triumphs
and despair at the heart of Above: NSW player Terry
Hill and Queenslander
sporting contests. The uniforms, Gorden Tallis face-to-
hairstyles, and streetscapes face during the second
game of the 1999 State of
reveal a changing Australia. Origin series. Courtesy
Newspix; Sportsmanship
They speak to tribal loyalties of at the end of the 1963
suburbs and to the changing ‘Gladiators’ grand final
after St George defeated
nature of sport. That which Western Suburbs 8–3.
remains constant, however, is Courtesy Newspix; Rugby
league commentator
the passion, skill and athleticism Frank Hyde calling a
which have been at the heart of Balmain versus South
Sydney game at the
rugby league since its inception Sydney Cricket Ground,
1993. Courtesy Gregg
in 1908. Porteous/Newspix; Clive
Churchill (Australia)
League of Legends: 100 Years and Puig Aubert (France)
argue with the referee
of Rugby League in Australia during the second Test,
opens at the Powerhouse 1951. Courtesy Edmond
Scott. Opposite: The Royal
Museum on 5 September. Agricultural Society
Challenge Shield, 1908–13.
A travelling exhibition developed and Photo Dragi Markovic.
presented by the National Museum of National Museum of
Australia Australia.
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TALK MEMBERS

both celebratory and horrific, reunification of

On International Museums Museums today have a social role: they
represent the culture of a particular society,
Day in May Powerhouse and by acquiring items of national, local
Director Dr Dawn Casey or community significance they act as a
spoke about museums in collective memory. They are repositories of
the sum total of everything that is important
the 21st century. to us. However it hasn’t been easy getting
here.
Museums have evolved over a long period
of time from privately held collections to
talking about natural history museums and then to the
plethora of museums we have today. The
countries, new national identity, and urban
regeneration and recognition of Indigenous
people.
By far the most controversial issues for
new and redeveloped museums during the
last two decades have been the content
of exhibitions. At their best, museums
are educational institutions of impressive
scope, power and authority. They are
significant community assets, places that
enrich curiosity and expand people’s
understanding of the human and natural
world. The recognition that all of these
roles are of ‘equal importance’ did alarm
some museum traditionalists and resulted
in several museums being caught up in the
‘culture wars’.
In addition museums were also re-
evaluating the representation of colonisation.
The colonial narrative, which typically started
with ‘discovery’ followed by ‘settlement’, then
some ‘adventures on the frontier’ followed
by ‘progress’, was no longer appropriate or
intellectually sound.
The rapid advances in media technology
that have taken place over the last few
decades allow museums to address
people in ways which dispel the notion
of the audience as passive receivers
of information. The idea of making the
transmission of history an interactive
experience is by no means unique to our
own time. Such an approach also does
not compromise or debase the ability of
museums to carry out their obligation to
preserve, exhibit and elucidate the past to
their audience.
Clockwise (from top
left): M’lady Valentine, from the carrots, smelly mushrooms and
A message that is to be heard by the cardboard sculpture by simulated cooking games.
broadest possible audience is in no way
Terry Summers;
Darth Vader with members I am also very excited to
invalidated by such a popular ‘pitch’. stormtroopers; A real
announce that Star Wars: Where
Museums are not books; they offer physical,
world hovercraft in the
ExhIbition. Photo by Dom
Miguel Photography; AT-AT
manager Science Meets Imagination will
tangible, walk-through experiences of (All Terrain Armoured be opening at the Museum
history. Theirs is an emotional as well as Transport) from Episode
V The empire Strikes Back.
There is a great program of in December. This amazing
intellectual experience, an appeal to the events lined up for the October exhibition, featuring models
Star Wars elements © 2008
senses and not just to the brain. Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM.
School holidays (see the events and costumes from all six films,
Today’s museums find ways of asking calendar for details). I’m sure explores the science behind the
fresh questions about history and identity.
We try to establish a conversation with
you’ll love the series of special
members-only workshops
fantasy – guaranteed to get us
thinking about the future as well

museums
1980s and 90s saw an extraordinary shift in
museology. Research, scholarship, programs
and exhibition development, particularly
in history museums, were transformed by
Dr Dawn Casey, Director, Powerhouse Museum
the intellectual and cultural shift towards
inclusiveness to reflect the multicultural
nature of society. Museums in Canada,
the United States and Australia began the
process of repatriation of Indigenous human
remains and secret sacred objects, followed
reluctantly by some museums in the United
Kingdom.
Also during this period there were a
significant number of new museums being
built around the world. The drivers to build
these museums were the people’s need to
understand national and international events
our audience – through the exhibitions, for the whole family, hosted
through staff interaction, or publications, or by cardboard sculptor Terry
special events – which help to crystallise Summers. Terry will also be
understanding. We want to ensure that our running a workshop just for
visitors are both reassured by the familiar, teens who, let’s face it, would
and challenged by the new. rather not be seen with mum
A museum is essentially a forum, a and dad if they can help it!
meeting place in which people may, if they And a highlight for the littlies
wish, consider issues affecting their lives or is sure to be the new KIDS unit,
their future, in which differing viewpoints are The Magic Garden, opening
accorded respect and scholarly research just in time for the holidays.
can be accessed to provide support – a This creative play space, which
place to seek enjoyment as well as learn. was generously supported
by the MBF Foundation, aims
Selected excerpts from a talk given by to inspire healthy eating and
Dr Dawn Casey on 18 May 2008 at the lifestyle habits with interactive
Powerhouse Museum. features including sprouting
as having lots of fun. And as a
special bonus, admission is free
for members!
Finally, I’d like to thank
Alana Adye, Kathryn Watson
and Daniel Gee who were
all wonderful caretakers of
my position while I was on
maternity leave. Each of them
brought their own personal
touch to the Members
Department and I’m sure
you will all join with me in
thanking them for doing such a
wonderful job.
Leonie Jones
Members Services Manager

8 powerline SPRING 08 powerline SPRING 08 9

CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER 2008
DATE / LOCATION
11 September
6.00 – 7.30 pm
Powerhouse Discovery Centre
12 September
10.00 am – 2.00 pm
Powerhouse Discovery Centre
14 September
From 6.00 pm
Sydney Observatory
27 September – 12 October
Powerhouse Museum
29 Sept – 3 Oct & 7 – 10
October
11.00 am & 1.00 pm
Powerhouse Museum
30 Sept – 4 0ct & 7 – 10
October
10.00 am – 4.00 pm
4–6 October
11.00 am – 3.00 pm
Powerhouse Museum
Saturday 4 October
11.00 am, 11.45 am & 12.30 pm
Sydney Observatory
Sunday 5 October
6.00 – 8.00 pm
Sydney Observatory
25 October
12 noon – 3.00 pm
Powerhouse Museum
1– 2 November
10.00 am – 4.00 pm
Powerhouse Museum
10 powerline SPRING 08
EVENT / COST
Catching it, storing it and
moving it
$15 / $12 concession and Powerhouse
Members
Caring for your collectibles
Free admission
Chinese mid autumn
Moon festival
Cost: $25 adults, $18 conc/child, $68 family
Members: $22 adults, $16 child, $60 family.
Bookings essential on 9921 3485
Treasure hunt: school holiday
fun at the Powerhouse
Free with Museum admission
What’s cookin’ Zoe?
Free with Museum admission
School holidays at the
Powerhouse Discovery
Centre, Castle Hill
Grand designs
Free with Museum admission
Australian Zodiac
Cost: $10 child, accompanying adults $5.
Members: $8 child, accompanying adults
$4. No need to book.
Pizza Moon  Join us at the start of daylight saving for a
Cost: $25 adults, $18 conc/child, $68 family.
Members: $22 adult, $20 conc, $18 child,
$65 family. Bookings essential on
9921 3485. Numbers limited.
Molecular gastronomy:
a sci-fry adventure
Free with Museum admission.
Silver lace workshop
Cost: $185, $170 Powerhouse Members/
students (includes basic materials,
refreshments and Museum admission)
MARK THESE EXCITING EVENTS IN YOUR
CALENDAR & VISIT THE MUSEUM’S WEBSITE
FOR A FULL LISTING OF WHAT’S ON.
DESCRIPTION
This illustrated lecture looks at water
technologies in Australia from 1788 to 1950.
For bookings phone 02 9762 1300.
The inside story on looking after your
precious collections.
Join us for a wonderful night of traditional
Moon cakes, Chinese music from the Gu
Zheng and telescope viewing.
Take the creative trail, solve the riddle
and be in the draw to win a Sharp Home
Theatre. See below for more Brain Storm
school holiday activities and check play.
powerhousemuseum.com for full details.
A delicious science show in three courses.
Learn all about the science of cooking.
Tours talks and fun activities. For details
contact the Discovery Centre or check
castlehill.powerhousemuseum.com
Take the design challenge with sculptor
Terry Summers and use cardboard to create
functional or fantastic things.
Taronga Zoo’s Zoomobile will be at the
Observatory. Meet the animals, make your
own Aussie animal star maps, hear great
stories and much more. For more school
holiday activities go to sydneyobservatory.
com
night of pizza, the crescent Moon and Venus.
Bring your digital camera to take a photo of
the Moon through our telescope.
A cooking demonstration hosted by popular
food critic and writer Joanna Savill.
Join lace expert Rosemary Shepherd for this
not to be missed workshop. For bookings
email adultlearning@phm.gov.au
right: Duet, cardboard
sculpture by Terry
Summers
members
only sculpture
workshops
A chance to learn and create
together in these free one-
day workshops led by visiting
cardboard sculptor, Terry
Summers. Terry will reveal what
it’s possible to make with this
versatile and environmentally
friendly material. The results will
then be displayed. Note: the
family workshops are designed
for adults and children to work
together.
Families: 27 and 28 September
11.00 am – 4.00 pm
Teens (ages 12+): 29 September
10.00 am – 3.00 pm
Bookings essential on
9217 0222. Numbers limited.
EXHIBITIONS AT A GLANCE
Lucasfilm Ltd: © 2008 Lucasfilm Ltd & TM. All Rights Reserved. Used Under Authorisation.
Coming soon Chinese belt toggles
Star Wars: Where Level 3
Science Meets A small display of carved ornaments
Imagination traditionally worn by Chinese men. These
Opens December 08 functional items had great symbolic
significance and are also objects of great
beauty.
One of the greatest adventures of all
time! Go on an epic journey through the Space
Star Wars universe and discover the real- LEVEL 1
world innovations that are rapidly making
Our new home / Meie uus Kodu:
the Star Wars fantasy a reality. Star Wars:
Where Science Meets Imagination was Estonian-Australian stories
LEVEL 2, UNTIL 12 OCTOBER
developed by the Boston Museum of
Science, Boston, USA, and Lucasfilm Engineering Excellence
Ltd. Join the Star Wars Priority Club at
LEVEL 3, UNTIL 2 NOVEMBER
powerhousemuseum.com/starwars
Modern times: the
Yinalung yenu: women’s journey untold story of
Level 4 modernism in Australia
Six prominent Indigenous women share their Level 3
inspirational stories and reveal the important
roles that women have played in Australian
society.
Modern times looks to the city and its
Student fashion
Photo by Jeff Carter, 1950s
skyscrapers, cafes and swimming pools,
Level 2
where modernist ideals of functionalism,
Get a glimpse of the next generation of
Australian fashion designers in this display
internationalism and the healthy body
radically transformed Australian culture in
of garments by four top graduating students
from Sydney-based schools.
the tumultuous decades from 1917 to 1967.
Australian International Design Awards
LEVEL 3 Sydney Observatory
The Powerhouse selection from the Winning sky photos: the David Malin Awards
Australian International Design Awards Spectacular images of the night sky in this
program features outstanding achievements
display featuring the winners and selected
in design. entries from the David Malin Awards.
Inspired! Design across time Observing the weather
LEVEL 3
What was Sydney’s hottest day? Our
A survey of decorative arts and design wildest storm? Sydney Observatory looks
from the 1700s to today. Features fashion, at 150 years of weather recording, charts
furniture, textiles, glass, and ceramics.
our weather extremes and examines how
climate change will impact on weather in
League of Legends: 100 Years of Rugby the future.
League in Australia
Level 2, from 5 September
Celebrate the centenary of rugby league in Travelling Exhibitions
Australia in this exhibition which showcases
Greening the Silver City: seeds of bush
the history, the trophies, the heroes and the
regeneration
memories. Remember the legends, relive
Goulburn Library, UNTIL 14 September
the historic moments, the close games and
Singleton Library, 20 September – 16 November
controversies and reflect on the future of
this great Australian sport.
powerline SPRING 08 11
OUT OF THE VAULTS
Visitors will be
fascinated by a
display of exquisite
Chinese belt
toggles.
Chinese
charms
Story Min-Jung Kim, Curator, Asian
Decorative Arts
Clockwise from top left:
Gilla bean toggle 92/476;
gourd-shaped ivory
toggle 92/681; reclining
scholar ivory toggle
92/663; wood toggle
depicting a Buddhist
pilgrimage 92/584; jade
toggle in the shape of
two pomegranates 92/511;
ivory toggle in the shape
of a monkey 92/609. Made
in China, 1700–1949, Gift of
Alastair morrison, 1992.
12 powerline SPRING 08
The Powerhouse Museum has
one of the largest collections
of Chinese belt toggles in the
world, with almost 300 examples
of many different shapes and
sizes. The majority of these were
collected by Hedda and Alastair
Morrison between 1940 and 1942,
mostly in Beijing, and generously
donated to the Museum in
1992. This is the first time such
a significant display has been
showcased at the Powerhouse,
mounted to coincide with a
seminar hosted at the Museum
by The Asian Arts Society of
Australia.
Traditional Chinese dress
did not have pockets, so it was
customary for men to suspend
small bags for tobacco and
other items from their belts.
Carved or decorated toggles,
known as zhuizi, were used as
counterweights to help secure
the bags. Toggle wearing
disappeared from China in the
1940s when western style clothes
replaced traditional dress.
Though primarily a functional
item, belt toggles embodied
great symbolic and cultural
significance for Chinese people.
Many designs are drawn from
Chinese symbolism, credited
with working like good luck
charms for the wearer. For
example, the reclining scholar
with a long beard shown here is
a symbol of longevity, promising
the owner a long life. The gourd
shaped toggle with silver mounts
is a symbol of fertility and
good fortune, while the monkey
holding its baby promises the
wearer’s descendents will be
prosperous.
Toggle makers also chose
materials that had magic,
medicinal or auspicious
connotations, for example the
gilla bean, which is credited with
relieving fevers and pains. The
most common materials were
wood and ivory, but many others
were used including jade, glass,
brass, porcelain, jet, seashells,
amber and turquoise.
NEW EDITION
Toggles were used in the Museum, Arthur Penfold,
everyday life, almost like began negotiations to acquire
key rings in contemporary this treasure trove of footwear.
society. Despite their symbolic Eventually he was successful
significance and often intricate in obtaining over 300 shoes
designs, they were so common dating from the 1700s, including
they were taken for granted. As some of the most finely crafted
a result almost nothing is known London fashion shoes, made in
about the individual artisans exquisite shapes, fine leathers
who made them and it is now
extremely difficult to trace their
history.
and rich colours. Some of the
fabrics and leathers are now
rarely seen.
In contrast the more well
known Japanese toggles,
Powerhouse curators
continued to add to the
netsuke, generally bear collection to keep it up to date.
the makers’ signatures and But despite this most of the
have long been acquired by shoes were tucked away in
collectors. The Morrisons were storage until 1993 when English
among the first to recognise the shoe expert June Swann was
value of the zhuizi and sought invited to Australia to research
them out in the markets of this unique acquisition. Valuable
Beijing as toggles were about information was added to
to disappear from use. They the files and the idea of an
are now very difficult to find. exhibition and an accompanying
Alastair Morrison donated their publication was born. Stepping
collection to the Powerhouse out: three centuries of shoes
after Hedda’s death in 1991. He opened with great success in
was made a Museum Life Fellow 1997–98 and the publication was
in 2002. also a sell out.
Now a new edition of the
book has been published
– completely redesigned and
updated to cover trends in
international shoe design up to
the present day. Contemporary
designs featured include work
by America’s Beth Levine and
Nike, Australia’s Royal Elastics,
Italy’s Salvatore Ferragamo,
Britain’s Terry de Haviland and
Vivienne Westwood, Japan’s
Tokio Kumagai, and France’s
Roger Vivier, Christian Dior and
Christian Louboutin.
This miniature mule was
made for exhibition and The Museum’s new First published in 1997, Stepping A highlight of the new edition
out: three centuries of shoes is a chapter on the regional
was probably displayed
at London’s Great edition of Stepping showcases the magnificent footwear collected by Joseph
out showcases one of
Exhibition held in 1851.
The exaggerated heel Joseph Box shoe collection, Box during the 19th century.
and toe are based on
acquired by the Museum in 1942 Featured shoes include an
fashion of the
1700s. Joseph Box
the world’s great shoe and recognised as one of the ivory toe peg sandal worn by a
Collection h4448–531.
collections. best in the world. Brahmin priest, a raised wooden
Joseph Box was a 19th Palestinian bath clog with inlaid
century London shoemaker mother of pearl sole, and a
with a reputation for fine bright red Syrian riding boot – a
function, shoemaking, a number of Royal
Warrants and an interest in
certain source of inspiration for
today’s fashion innovators.
collecting shoes. He collected
fashion, and held exhibitions showcasing
fine fashion shoes as well as
‘Stepping out: three centuries of
shoes’, written by Louise Mitchell
fetish
regional footwear from all over with Lindie Ward, is available
the globe, shoe buckles and from the Powerhouse Shop or
spurs, shoe trinkets and snuff online at powerhousemuseum.
boxes. com/publications. RRP $34.95.
Story Lindie Ward, Curator, International
Decorative Arts and Design
The collection was kept Louise will be giving a talk on
intact after his death and in the collection at 12.30 pm on 17
the 1930s the then director of September at the Museum.
powerline SPRING 08 13
NEW EXHIBITION ‘there is nothing more
democratic than swimming’
Annette Kellerman, How to Swim, 1918
Although areas of ocean,
harbour and river had long been
enclosed for bathing, the public
swimming pool is a creation
of the modern movement. The
swimming races of the 1896
Olympic Games were held in
the Aegean Sea near Athens.
At the Paris Olympics of 1900,
swimmers raced in the Seine.
But from the 1930s, Australia
was part of an international pool
building boom. In the artificial
environment of the pool, an age-
old activity became modern.
This phenomenon is
explored in the Modern times
exhibition through an installation
combining archival photographs
with recent images taken by
Powerhouse photographer
Jean-Francois Lanzarone. Jean-
Francois photographed some
of the best known pools in
Australia, including three Sydney
pools which opened in the 1930s
as well as examples of 1950s
modernist design in Melbourne
and Brisbane. The result is a
stunning celebration of one of
the most defining features of
modern life in Australia – the
public swimming pool.
Several factors created the
swimming pool craze in the
1920s and ’30s. One of the most
significant was the influence
of the Australian long-distance
swimmer, stage and movie
star Annette Kellerman, best
Left: The Centenary
Pool, Brisbane designed
known for her creation of the
by James Birrell. Photo sheer, one-piece swimsuit for
by James Birrell, 1950s.
Below: North Sydney
women. By 1920 one-piece
Pool. Photo by Jean- woollen swimsuits were widely
Francois Lanzarone.
available. Passive bathing was
swiftly replaced by the athletic
pastimes of swimming and
An installation celebrating the public surfing.
Public bathhouses were a
swimming pool is a highlight of Exhibition book charitable investment in many
the Modern times exhibition. cities during the late 1800s, but
Edited by Ann Stephen, Philip pools had a more democratic
Goad and Andrew McNamara, bent. During the 1930s European
Modern times brings together and American governments
healthy bodies,
25 essays and over 250 of all political persuasions
images. Co-published with The began promoting swimming
Miegunyah Press, an imprint of as a healthy communal activity
Melbourne University Publishing. suitable for both genders and all
public pools
RRP: $49.95, Powerhouse social classes.
members receive a 10% Both socially and
discount. Available from the architecturally, the swimming
Powerhouse Shop or online at pool created new experiences,
powerhousemuseum.com/ somewhat outside the normal
Story Charles Pickett, Curator Design & Society publications rules of society. Pools were
places to play, display and
appraise the near-naked body,
14 powerline SPRING 08
an astonishing change from
‘public decency’ laws which,
until 1900, banned public
bathing at Sydney beaches
and segregated swimming in
harbour pools.
Swimming pools posed
complex design challenges:
a competition and pleasure
venue requiring facilities
for spectating, changing,
showering, sunbathing, diving
and other activities. World-wide,
their newness and functional
focus dovetailed perfectly with
architectural modernism.
Sydney’s first modern
pools were designed by the
leading architectural practice
Rudder & Grout. Three of
these are still in use – Enfield
(built 1933) Granville (1936)
and North Sydney (1936)
– although all have been rebuilt
to some extent. Like their
international counterparts, all
featured symmetrical forms
in polychrome brickwork,
concrete relief panels and
bright tiling. Similarly, they were
hugely popular from opening
day:
‘The fact that 27 000 people
have paid admission in the
first 14 days speaks for itself
… there is little doubt that the
Enfield Olympic Swimming
Pool is destined to whet the
appetites of the less fortunate
people in other areas where
there is no delightful pool in
which they may have a quick
and refreshing plunge at any
time of the day and night’
(Building, December 1933).
The Modern times exhibition
showcases these three
pioneering Sydney pools, along
with two pools built in the
1950s expressing diverse forms
of modernism. The Melbourne
Olympic Pool, designed for
the 1956 Games by architects
John and Phyllis Murphy, Kevin
Borland and Peter McIntyre
with engineer Bill Irwin, makes
a show of its steel structure.
In contrast, Brisbane’s
Centenary Pool is a bravura
work of sculptural modernism,
designed by City Architect
James Birrell.
Modern times: the untold story
of modernism in Australia
closes in February 2009.
powerline SPRING 08 15
OBSERVE
SYDNEY OBSERVATORY
stories of the Moon
Throughout the ages people
have developed amazing stories
about our nearest neighbour,
the Moon. To the Anangu people
of central Australia, perhaps
some of the oldest sky watchers
on the planet, the Moon is a
man who desires a woman, the
Sun, as she travels daily across
the sky. As he begins to chase
her, he grows in confidence that
he will catch her and begins to
grow in size. On the night of the
full Moon when he rises in the
east and she sets in the west,
he realises he has failed and he
begins to fade away and shrink.
Two weeks later he tries again.
The waxing and waning of the
Moon is explained.
Our northerly neighbours in
China have another story. A
long time ago Chang’er and her
husband Houyi were immortals
in heaven. Then one day Houyi
was summoned by the Jade
Emperor to solve a problem. His
ten sons who were in fact suns
in the sky were all shining on
16 powerline SPRING 08
the Earth at one time. Naturally
this made things just a little
too hot. Houyi used his skill as
an archer and shot down nine
of the suns. This however did
not please the Emperor and he
banished Chang‘er and Houyi to
live as mortals on Earth.
In an attempt to make
Chang’er immortal again, Houyi
went on an epic journey to the
west where he found the pill
of immortality. It was so strong
that a mortal could only ever
have half. On his return home
he warned Chang’er not to
touch the pill in its case but she
could not resist. As soon as he
left, she opened the case and
ate the pill. Soon she began
to float into the sky and Houyi
was faced with a terrible choice.
Either let her float away or shoot
her down like the nine suns.
He could not harm her and she
floated all the way to the Moon
where she still lives today.
Although lonely on the Moon
she has the company of jade
rabbit and woodcutter Wu Gang
who can only ever leave if he
successfully chops down a tree.
The problem is the tree grows
back the instant he chops it.
This intriguing story is
celebrated every year on the
15th day of the 8th Lunar month
in the Chinese calendar, which
in 2008 is Sunday 14 September.
Naturally any chance to have a
Moon party at Australia’s oldest
Observatory cannot be missed,
so we will be celebrating with
a spring version of the Chinese
mid autumn Moon festival.
Come and join us on this
wonderful evening for a night of
traditional Moon cakes, Chinese
music from the Gu Zheng and
telescope viewing. If you’re very
lucky you may even see the
rabbit’s reflection in a small pool
of water.
For further details visit
sydneyobservatory.com. For
bookings phone 9921 3485.
Story Geoff Wyatt,
manager Sydney Observatory
what’s on
at Castle Hill
Powerhouse Discovery Centre
themed Open Days are hosted
on the second Saturday of each
month from 10.00 am to 4.00
pm (except January). Coming
up are ‘Cars’ (13 September),
‘Bicycles and Motorbikes’ (11
October) and ‘Agriculture’ (8
November). As well as having all
the objects in the Display Store
to explore, visitors will also see
some treasures from private
collections brought along for the
open days. Not to be missed!
The Discovery Centre is also
open during the school holidays
and weekdays (Tuesdays to
Fridays) for pre-booked school,
club and special interest groups.
For further details visit castlehill.
powerhousemuseum.com.
A composite photo
showing the Moon and
Jupiter as seen from the
Observatory. Two photos
were needed, one to
expose Jupiter and the
second to capture the
detail of the Moon. The
result is a bright halo
around the Moon. Photo
by Geoff Wyatt.
POWERHOUSE DISCOVERY CENTRE
Left: A Limited Edition
Road King Police
Special Harley
Davidson, used for
security in the Sydney
2000 Olympic Games
Torch Relay, on
display in the Display
Store. Part of the
Sydney 2000 Games
Collection. Gift of the
NSW Government 2001.
2001/84/388
Below: German wax
and composition doll,
1835–1849. A10798 Gift of
Anne Schofield under
the tax incentive for
the arts scheme 1984.
DISCOVER
a dolls day
One of the most successful
Powerhouse Discovery Centre
open days this year has been a
day dedicated to dolls and toys.
Frozen Charlottes, Japanese
celluloid kewpies, French
fashion, and Shirley Temple dolls
were the star attractions of this
popular event, made possible
by the enthusiastic involvement
of the Doll Collectors Club
of NSW.
Members of the club mounted
an extensive display of rare
and collectable dolls. To mark
the 80th birthday of legendary
Hollywood child star Shirley
Temple, there was a ‘Shirley
Temple Dolls Tea Party’ display,
complete with miniature cakes,
party hats, balloons and Shirley
Temple memorabilia. Visitors
were also treated to an outdoor
display of early 20th century
pedal cars, courtesy of the
Australian Pedal Car Club,
including a 1928 Cyclops pedal
aeroplane and a 1930s Cyclops
wooden horse, ‘Pony Express’.
A highlight of the day was an
illustrated lecture on dolls and
dollhouses in the Powerhouse
collection, presented by curator
Lindie Ward. This standing room
only event provided visitors
with an insight into some of
the rare dolls and meticulously
crafted dollhouses in the
collection, including some on
permanent display on level 2
of the Discovery Centre Display
Store. These include a mid
19th century pedlar doll with
an intriguing tray of miniature
merchandise, a pair of German
bisque dolls dressed as a
gentleman and his wife, and this
exceptional doll made in the
1840s.
The doll has a wax face,
arms and legs and a fabric
body stuffed with sawdust. Her
underwear is decorated with
handmade tatted lace and
her beautifully detailed dress
features finely pleated drop
shoulders gathered into a bow.
This doll belonged to a little girl,
Eliza Wilkins, who sadly died at
the age of ten years and five
months in England.
Christopher Snelling
Manager Powerhouse Discovery Centre
powerline SPRING 08 17
THE POWERHOUSE
FOUNDATION
The Powerhouse Foundation
The Foundation thanks the
following donors for
their recent contribution.
U J Andrews
O Anna-Rose Baker
O Mr and Mrs David Calmyre
2 Lesley A Chapman
O Dr John L Cummine
O Mark Doyle
O Murray Doyle
U Dr Terry and Mrs Dianne Finnegan
O George Freedman
O B H Hope
O Craig Lavender
b Warren Lee & Erica Jacobson
U David Maloney
U Janet McDonald AO
and Donald McDonald AC
2 Mr & Dr Mottram
U RACI Pharmaceutical
Science Group - NSW
¶ RFC Group Limited
2 Ian & Joanne Ritchie
O John Scott-Stevenson
O Dr C and Mrs M Williams
O Keith & Janet Winsbury
18 powerline SPRING 08
foundation
news
We are pleased to welcome
Rebecca Noonan to the
Powerhouse Museum as our
new Foundation Executive.
Rebecca joins the Museum
with excellent experience
from her previous roles at
Sculpture by the Sea, Sydney
Festival and most recently
from the Commonwealth Bank
Foundation. She is looking
forward to meeting many of our
Foundation donors and friends
in the coming weeks.
A highlight for the Foundation
in the last few months was a
President’s Circle Luncheon with
special guest speaker, Peter
FitzSimons. Peter is best known
as a former Wallabies rugby
player, columnist for the Sydney
Morning Herald and author of
a number of successful books.
Guests enjoyed an entertaining
Above: Table setting
for a recent
Foundation dinner.
Right: cesky Krumlov.
Image courtesy Czech
Tourism.
DONATION CATEGORIES
j Governor
¶ President’s
Circle
∞ Leader
£ Collector
b Custodian
U Investor
2 Supporter
O Friend
The powerhouse museum gratefully acknowledges
the support of the following organisations
speech and a glimpse into his
fascinating career.
principal partners senior partners partners supporters platinum corporate
members
state government
partners
The Powerhouse Foundation
September Annual Appeal is Alcatel-Lucent
our next big event. Each year Amp
the generosity of our donors boeing australia
exceeds our expectations, and HALKEAS PRINTING the powerhouse museum
we hope that the 2008 Annual JAZZRIGHT PRODUCTION
is a statutory authority
of, and principally
Appeal will be even more SERVICES funded by, the state
successful than previous years. railcorp government.
I encourage all Powerhouse
members and friends to australian government
gold corporate partners
consider donating to the members
Foundation to support the australia council for
Brookfield multiplex
acquisition and conservation the arts
of the Museum’s collection. DYSON australian research
council
spanning science, design and standards australia/
australian international
social history. design awards foundations
Should you wish to find out
sweet art
more about the Powerhouse Bruce & joy Reid
tafe nsw Foundation
Foundation, upcoming events,
or supporting the Foundation transgrid Gordon Darling
Foundation
through a donation, please
silver corporate james n kirby foundation
contact our Foundation members
Executive, Rebecca Noonan,
on 02 9217 0564 or email art exhibitions australia
rebeccan@phm.gov.au. DUNLOP FLOORING
AUSTRALIA
Laurie-Anne Bentley
Corporate Development Manager
KVB KUNLUN
MACQUARIE Group
FOUNDATION
Sigma-Aldrich Pty Ltd
weir minerals
powerhouse
associate corporate
members
discovery tour Victoria barracks
discovery
members
Don’t miss the next Powerhouse
Discovery Tour to the heart of hinchcliffe electrical
services
Bohemia in the Czech Republic,
in May/June 2009. This behind- wizard home loans
kellyville
the-scenes tour will take you to
the historic centres of Prague
and Cesky Krumlov with Czech-
born art historian Dr Jana
Vytrhlik of the Powerhouse
Museum and antique silver
expert Jolyon Warwick James.
Powerhouse Discovery Tours
are presented in partnership
with Renaissance Tours. For
more information on the tours
visit www.renaissancetours.com.
au or call 1300 727 095.
Renaissance Tours is a valued supporter of
the Powerhouse Foundation.
for more information on sponsorship opportunities
and giving to the powerhouse museum please contact
dara vongsonephet on (02) 9217 0577.
powerline SPRING 08 19
FrOM THE COLLECTION
Howard Hallett’s cap
In 1924 this cap was presented
to rugby league legend Howard
Hallett in recognition of his
16 years of playing first grade
league for South Sydney. Hallett
switched codes from Australian
Rules to join Souths in 1908,
the year of rugby league’s first
competition in Australia. He
played 181 first grade games
from 1909 to 1924.
Known as ‘the Rock of
Gibraltar’ for his safe pair of
hands, Hallett represented his
country, state and club with
distinction. Touring Great Britain
with the second Kangaroos in
1911–1912, his brilliance at ball
handling, kicking and tackling Gift of Howard Hallett Jnr
and June Norman, 1990. 90/867
dazzled his opponents and
he retained the Test fullback
spot for years. Five of his
caps, signifying selection for
Australian, NSW and South
Sydney teams, are in the
Museum’s collection, along with
the unique silver belt trophy that
he won in 1914.
Howard Hallett’s cap features
in the exhibition League of
powerhousemuseum.com
Legends: 100 years of Rugby
League in Australia which
opens at the Powerhouse on 5
September. Read more about
this fascinating exhibition on
page 6.