I Belong – Do You? Be involved in snapshots of the people of Melbourne
The Immigration Museum is capturing the faces of Melbourne for its forthcoming exhibition Identity: Yours, Mine, Ours. Join us on Little Collins Street to be a part of the I Belong – Do You? photo shoot and become part of a collection of faces that represent the diverse identities of Melbourne. All photos will be uploaded to Flickr.
Where: Little Collins Street – between Elizabeth and Swanston Streets, Melbourne (Look out for Immigration Museum staff in the bright yellow T Shirts.)
Date: 11am – 2pm, Thursday 31 March and Friday 1 April 2011
Identity: Yours, Mine, Ours
Unlike any other exhibition in an Australia museum, Identity: Yours, Mine, Ours provides fresh and challenging insights into personal identity – who we are, how we perceive each other and what it means to belong or not belong in Australia today. Focusing on the things that make up our sense of who we are – ethnicity, ancestry, language, spirituality and citizenship – the exhibition explores the many and varied identities that make up our nation today. Featuring objects, immersive multimedia displays and a range of personal stories from Australians of widely diverse backgrounds, Identity will challenge visitors to examine their own assumptions and confront everyday prejudices about Australia’s multicultural society.
Date: From May 2011
Autumn school holiday program
Delve into the past and explore your family’s cultural heritage at the Immigration Museum these autumn school holidays. Make your own unique family tree, pop out a cardboard suitcase and create a picture of all the things you would take with you if you had to leave Australia with your family today and make a set of babushka dolls.
Date: 9 to 26 April 2011
West Africa: Rhythm and Spirit
This exhibition explores the long-held traditional beliefs and cultural practices of contemporary West African society. Featuring over 200 objects, including colourful masks, intricately carved figures, musical instruments, beautifully decorative cloth and jewellery as well as photographs and film, this exhibition provides a window into the life of today’s West African cultures. West Africa: Rhythm and Spirit encompasses six major themes – kingship and authority, fertility, pattern and adornment, divination, masks and masquerades, and trade – which reflect the diversity and dynamism of this unique and fascinating region.
Date: Until 29 May 2011
Honouring our Ancestors: Remembering Timor Leste
This exhibition explores a ritual called Se Matebian, which takes place each year on All Souls Day and honours East Timorese ancestors. It looks at how the East Timorese community in Australia continue to practise this ritual today. Personal stories and reflections of people from the East Timorese community are shared and featured objects include a silver breast plate and head piece worn by elders during ceremonial peace, a silver jewellery box with an ancestral worship home on top, jewellery associated with ancestors, timber statues representing ancestors, hand woven baskets and East Timorese fabrics.
Date: Until 10 April 2011
Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne. Open daily 10.00am to 5.00pm except Good Friday and Christmas Day. Admission: Adult $8, child/concession FREE. More info 13 11 02 or museumvictoria.com.au/immigration museum