Sydney Celebrates the 1980s
Put your Jordache jeans, Izod shirt, and Underoos on, Gen X. A stunning exhibition commemorating the 1980s opens December 13, at the Powerhouse Museum Science + Design, Sydney, Australia and it's all about the world during your coming-of-age.
The 80s Are Back, one of the biggest exhibition's the public museum has ever featured, promises to take people back to the era's toys, fads, video games, technology, nightclubs, music, architecture, design trends, current affairs and events.
From Sony Walkman, Atari and Pac-Man, big hair and power dressing to pub rock and dance parties, The America's Cup and the Berlin Wall, any Generation Xer (by broadest definition those people born between 1961-81) anywhere near Sydney this month or throughout 2010 will want to make time for this year-long exhibition.
According to an article, More Power to the 80s, written by Rosalie Higson and published in The Australian, Powerhouse previously sponsored exhibits with Baby Boomers in mind. According to Peter Cox, head curator for the 80s exhibit, it's now Generation X's turn.
Cox told The Australian:
"This is about looking at the decade through the prism of their youth: what they watched on TV, what movies they went to, what music venues, their first encounters with computers, the clothes they wore... it's acknowledging that their youth and culture is important, and it's now time to look at it with a historical perspective and revalue it."
The exhibit features the following themes:
- On the screen
- Subcultures
- Partying
- The AIDS crisis
- Fashion
- Music
- Fads & toys
- Design
- Neo-80s
- Video games
- The big events
In addition, there are interactive activities like learning how to do Michael Jackson's thriller dance moves and an 80s photo scavenger hunt. Museum staff have even planned a retro-gaming weekend!
Moreover, there is a strong educational component to the exhibit. An 80s Are Back Teacher's Guide will be available for the 2010 Australian school year. (It is summer in Australia right now.)
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