Fifty years ago today, The Beatles were in Abbey Road Studios recording together for the last time. By May, Apollo 11 had touched down on the moon. In August, a generation came together at Woodstock. In November, as many as half a million people marched in Washington D.C. in protest of the Vietnam War.
The internationally acclaimed exhibition Revolutions: Records and Rebels is set to open at Melbourne Museum this Saturday (27 April) – welcoming a host of treasures from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
Among them: John Lennon’s signature glasses and iconic Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band suit. Along with specially-curated items from Museums Victoria’s own collection, these priceless artifacts are just a few of the many hundreds assembled to tell the story of 1966-70 as five years that shook the world.
Connecting dots between the fashion, music, technology and political struggles throughout the globe, Revolutions: Records and Rebels offers audiences a visceral journey through the era and a vital opportunity to reflect on the power of collective action and cultural upheaval.
In celebration of Revolutions: Records and Rebels opening its doors, Melbourne Museum will transform itself into Carnaby Street on Saturday April 27 with an opening party for all ages.
Revellers can kick it all day with live music from Revolutions: A Super Group – featuring members from Paul Kelly Band, RocKwiz Orkestra, Even and JET and take in special surprise appearances from performance collective The Boon Companions. For visitors ready to tune in and drop out, Triple R’s Annalisa Redlich will present a live broadcast of Neon Sunset alongside special guests from 12.00pm.
Direct from London, Victoria Broackes (Senior Curator, V&A) will present an exclusive Curator Lecture in the Museum Theatre. Broackes, who also led the curation of the iconic David Bowie Is, Kylie: The Exhibition and Pink Floyd: Their Mortal Remains, will offer a behind-the-scenes journey through the design and development of Revolutions: Records and Rebels.
Feeling inspired? Fitzroy’s beloved Northside Records will be on site with a pop-up record shop for all budding crate diggers. For those ready to Be The Change – join an immersive, hands-on class in the art of DIY zines and protest badges.
For any queens in need of a beehive, the Revolutions‘ own Carnaby Street hair salon exhibit will come to life for one afternoon only, offering ’60s styling thanks to Paradise Cutters.
And as if that weren’t enough, all visitors who purchase their tickets to Revolutions: Records and Rebels online before 27 April will automatically be in the running to win an amazing trip for two to London.
Leave your hangups at home and sashay in for a swingin’ good time.
Revolutions: Records and Rebels
Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton
Exhibition: 27 April – 6 October 2019 (exhibition extended)
Admission fees apply
For more information, visit: www.museumsvictoria.com.au for details.
Image: Revolutions: Records and Rebels (installation view London) – © Victoria and Albert Museum
Note: This exhibition contains mature content, including violence, drug references, nudity and adult themes, viewer discretion is advised by parents or guardians of children under the age of 18