OBSERVER: DIVA Exhibition
DIVA, an acclaimed international exhibition developed by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum celebrating some of history’s most provocative and powerful divas, will open the new Australian Museum of Performing Arts on December 11.
An Australian exclusive, DIVA will feature more than 250 objects including 60 spectacular costumes, jewellery, photography, art and music drawn from the V and A’s Collection, Arts Centre Melbourne’s own Australian Performing Arts Collection and loaned items from across the world.
On display until April 26, the exhibition will showcase the creativity, ambition and resilience of many of the world’s best-known divas, from 19th century opera goddesses and silent movie stars to Golden Age Hollywood legends and today’s global megastars and pop icons.
Legendary names in the exhibition include Maria Callas, Judy Garland, Joan Crawford, Dame Nellie Melba, Grace Jones, Cher, Prince, Tina Turner, Elton John, Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Adele, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston, P!nk, Bjork, Billie Eilish and more.
The exhibition explores the ability of the diva to transform and inspire the world around them. Delving into the origins of the term ‘diva’ – meaning goddess in Italian – the exhibition reflects on how the meaning of the word has been subverted and embraced over time, and how the label has been reclaimed by performers, their fans and wider society.
V and A Senior Curator Kate Bailey, who curated the exhibition, said DIVA explores the performer, not just as an artist, but as a trailblazer, and she was thrilled DIVA would be the inaugural exhibition of the Australian Museum of Performing Arts. “Today the word diva holds a myriad of meanings. At the heart of this exhibition is a story of iconic performers who with creativity, courage and ambition have challenged the status quo and used their voice and their art to redefine and reclaim the diva. We are thrilled to be working with the Australian Museum of Performing Arts and that this powerful story is being shared around the world. Viva La Diva.”
Exhibition Dates: Until April 26
Venue: Australian Performing Arts Museum, Arts Centre Melbourne.
artscentremelbourne.com.au/
Cheryl Threadgold

