With the intent of showcasing the diversity of the Powerhouse’s archives, eccentric critic and Australian personality Leo Schofield might have just curated the most niche yet all-encompassing exhibition Sydney has ever seen. In amongst 1001 Remarkable Objects, there’s something to intrigue Australian film buffs, porcelain collectors, Georgian era enthusiasts, luxury fashionistas, car fanatics – and, well, we could be here all day.
Overseen by a giant glammed up Kewpie doll (which was paraded at the Closing Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics in her Strictly Ballroom-inspired gown), this breathtaking exhibition isn't just about showcasing a few “masterpieces” – instead, it focuses on items that are remarkable perhaps for their back story or their rarity.
The treasures include a real samurai’s suit of armour, the dress Nicole Kidman wore as she sang ‘Sparkling Diamonds’ in Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge, and an electric car from the 1910s (spoiler alert: it’s a far cry from today’s Tesla). The collection showcases the diverse decorative arts and design archives of the Powerhouse Museum, plus some special never-before-seen artefacts. Best of all – it's free to enter.
To celebrate the scale and beauty of 1001 Remarkable Objects, the Powerhouse also released a slick limited-edition publication, just in time for Christmas. The 620-page book beautifully illustrates all 1001 items, alongside 15 narratives, for which 11 Australian authors were invited to interrogate a specific slice of the exhibition and respond to one or more objects. Covered in linen fabric, metallic foiling and gloss edging, the 1001 Remarkable Objects book is a gorgeous design object in itself, that will level up anyone’s coffee table (which earned it a place in our ultimate Sydney gift guide). You can buy one at the museum store or order here.
You’ve got until February 4, 2024, to explore the 25 rooms worth of objects. After that date, the Ultimo museum is closing down for three whole years(!) in order to undergo a $250 million heritage revitalisation.
