1001 truly Remarkable Objects at the Powerhouse

Arts & Entertainment Exhibitions Scene

Staff Writer
August 25, 2023

Image: 1001 REMARKABLE OBJECTS at the Powerhouse Museum

By KELLY O’HARE

The Powerhouse Museum has unveiled its latest exhibition, 1001 Remarkable Objects, an awe-inspiring display of rich culture derived from various applied arts disciplines, including fashion, social history, music, and more. While most exhibitions typically feature around 100 objects, 1001 Remarkable Objects blows this figure out of the park, solidifying itself as one of the most extensive, large-scale exhibitions to date.

Fancy dress costume, ‘Music’, womens, comprising dress and headband, silk / textile / elastic / diamantes, maker unknown, Australia, 1915-1925

The number of objects on display, a theatrical 1001, is a nod to the members of the theatre world involved in the design and production of the exhibition. Led by Leo Schofield AM, curatorium experts Ronan Sulich, Mark Sutcliffe, and Eva Czernis-Ryl embarked on the meticulous selection of 1001 items from the pool of half a million housed within the Powerhouse Museum’s collection. Each chosen object is deemed ‘remarkable’ due to its rarity, visual appeal, social history, or an ability to invoke wonder.

Aircraft undercarriage from Lockheed Altair monoplane ‘Lady Southern Cross’, starboard side, metal / rubber, made by Lockheed Aircraft Company, Burbank, California, United States of America, probably 1933, only surviving fragment of aircraft in which Sir Charles Kingsford Smith died, 8 November 1935

This ground-breaking exhibition celebrates the history and relevance of the iconic institution, The Powerhouse Museum, and its collection’s sheer scale and breadth.

The curated objects are thoughtfully presented and displayed by exhibition designers Pip Runciman, Julie Lynch, Ross Wallace, and Damien Cooper. Together, they have skilfully arranged the objects into 25 individual rooms, each with an underlying theme of nature, power, movement, or joy. A distinct mood is exuded from room to room, ranging from playful and joyous to serious and sentimental as the viewer takes a glorious journey transcending time.

Typewriter, “Sholes & Glidden type writer”, metal / wood / glass / paint, designed by Christopher Latham Sholes, Wisconsin, United States of America, made by E Remington & Sons, New York, United States of America, 1874-1878

When asked about the best way to approach the exhibition, curator Ronan Sulich suggests roaming free.

“Let your eye lead you around the room; whatever jumps out at you, go and enjoy it,” he says.

Curatorium expert Eva Czernis-Ryl agrees.

“There’s no beginning, no end, there’s no chronological start, and that was deliberate.”

Chandelier, ‘USA’ from art installation ‘Crystal Palace: The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nuclear Nations’, uranium glass / UV lights / metal, made by Ken + Julia Yonetani, Katoomba, New South Wales, Australia, 2013

Viewers are encouraged to follow their senses and explore the exhibition as they see fit. This shouldn’t be difficult considering the wide variety on display, including jewellery, costume, textiles, furniture, clocks, musical instruments, industrial design, and rare artefacts; with something new around every corner, the exhibition has something for everyone.

This must-see exhibition is FREE with no registration required.