Year: 2013

Christmas, jewellery and the Museum’s collection

December 25, 2013

I am pretty excited to share these floral brooches with you by contemporary studio jeweller Roseanne Bartley. Not only are they recent acquisitions for the Museum’s permanent collection, but they will also be displayed in our exciting and upcoming jewellery exhibition, due to open September 2014.

Picture this: A few of our photographs

December 23, 2013

At the Powerhouse Museum we are fortunate to have a great photographic collection including glass plate negatives from the late 19th and early 20th century in the Tyrell collection. They form a fairly solid base of our historic photography collections and provide the odd bit of excitement when we discover hitherto unknown works within them, like the 400 World War One soldier images recently uncovered.

Christmas wrapping cloths made and phtogoraphed by Nicky Balmer

Christmas wrapping cloths, inspired by an Asian tradition

December 23, 2013

December is here and Christmas starts announcing its approach with sprigs of sparkly neon tinsel and piles of fake snow in air conditioned department stores. I love shiny things and generally run at Christmas full tilt, unplanned, slightly hysterical and usually exhausted by the time the big day arrives.

A full scale replica of the Soviet Lunokhod remote-controlled lunar rover, that operated on the Moon in 1973, can be seen in the Museum’s Space exhibition

Roving the Moon Forty Years Apart

December 21, 2013

Right now, China’s Yutu (“Jade Rabbit”) roving vehicle is exploring the Mare Imbrium region on the Moon, in the early stages of a mission scheduled to last for three months. The Chang-e 3 lander that delivered Yutu to the Moon on December 14 was the first spacecraft to soft-land on the lunar surface since the former-Soviet Union’s Luna 24 sample recovery mission in August 1976.

Shopping around

December 18, 2013

A groovy shopping mall is a contradiction in terms for many people. Yet that is what has just opened at the Central Park development on Sydney’s Broadway. As malls go the new one is small but it’s illuminated from above by a Jean Nouvel-designed heliostat and according to the Herald, has the personality of ‘a well-dressed hipster with a short attention span’.

Model wax cow made by Wilhelmina Jurd (nee Gore). Powerhouse Museum collection, A10060. Gift of Lorraine Tilsed, 1984.

Wilhelmina’s crafty miniature wax cows

December 16, 2013

I know I've said this before but our collection continues to amaze me with its countless curious and bizarre objects. An example of this is the three intricate miniature model cows made of beeswax and calf hair.

Design for happiness: George Korody furniture designs

December 11, 2013

If you’re a fan of mid-century modern furniture, the Powerhouse Museum’s current display is a must-see. 7 Australian Designers profiles a number of Australia’s celebrated modernists and includes iconic furniture by Grant Featherston, Gordon Andrews, Douglas Snelling, Clement Meadmore and Steven Kalmar.

Powerhouse Museum Collection object 2012/17/1.

Light globe repaired by the Electric Lamp Repairing Company

December 9, 2013

‘Save your Burnt-out Lamps. Repairs guaranteed equal to new.’ This line appeared in Sydney newspaper ads from 1918 to 1920. The small ads included an eye-catching drawing of a light globe with ‘OLD LAMPS MADE NEW’ written inside it.

From the moon to Camp Quality: Norman Hetherington’s puppets

December 3, 2013

Norman Hetherington was a creator of wonder, but also, what may not be as well known, he was a creator of edifying realism. Having served in the Second World War, Hetherington got a taste of and developed a talent for performance art, being part of an entertainment unit.

2000/86/1-2 Badge, 'WORLD AIDS DAY', metal, designed by the AIDS Council of New South Wales (ACON) / Commonwealth Dept of Community Services and Health, maker unknown, Australia, 1987-1991

World AIDS Day 2013

December 1, 2013

Since its inception on 1 December 1988, World AIDS Day has played an important role in the ongoing global fight to remove the threat of HIV and AIDS. First diagnosed in 1981, the HIV and AIDS epidemic continues to be one of the world’s most significant public health issues, particularly in less affluent countries.

Underpants worn by James Castrission and Justin Jones during the Crossing the Ice Antarctic expedition. Image courtesy of James Castrission and Justin Jones.

The undies that almost stopped an Antarctic expedition

November 29, 2013

These two pairs of undies are part of a large collection of equipment and personal items used by Antarctic adventurers James Castrission (Cas) and Justin Jones (Jonsey) on their 'Crossing the Ice' Antarctic expedition to the South Pole, 2011-2012.

Powerhouse Museum Collection object 94/227/4. Gift of Erica Mann, 1994.

Quentin Bryce and Republican symbolism

November 27, 2013

Governor-General Quentin Bryce surprised Australia by mentioning two controversial issues at the conclusion of her final Boyer Lecture. She spoke with her usual grace as she presented positive opinions on both marriage equality and a future Australian republic.

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