Containing design drawings, design concepts and photographs, this archival material represents the development of 'Arrivals', one of the theatrical segments in the Opening Ceremony for the Sydney Olympic Games. This segment, directed by Lex Marinos, featured elaborate costumes, music and props, and celebrated Australia's multicultural past and present. In 1999 and 2000, teams of designers, model makers and prop makers worked in secrecy at the Ceremonies Workshop, constructing and refining the props that would animate the Arrivals segment. The principal designer, Eamon D'Arcy, led this work and guided its vibrant, multicultural theme.

Described by the NSW premier Bob Carr as 'the greatest spectacle Australia has produced', the opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games took place at Stadium Australia, Homebush Bay on Friday 15 September 2000. Though the ceremony featured anthems, speeches, oaths, flags, pop singers and a marching band, its daring conceptual sequences ('Deep Sea Dreaming', 'Awakening', 'Nature', 'Tin Symphony', 'Arrivals' and 'Eternity') will be remembered as the major imaginative works. Each segment commenced without interruption, following on from the last to form an overall narrative. The purpose was to project a national image to a worldwide audience, to form the world's vision of Australian culture. This image embraced tolerance, social progress, multiculturalism and reconciliation, as well as nature, history and creativity. Designed to stimulate emotional responses from the audience, these segments delivered a refreshing mixture of youth, naivety and larrikinism.

The 'Arrivals' segment looked at Australia's history of migration. A joyful and powerful celebration of multiculturalism, it comprised floats representing five continents with costumed dancers symbolising new arrivals. These represented all the cultures, races, creeds and religions that are now part of the Australian nation. The groups cascaded into the arena in the order Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and Oceania - the five regions that are symbolised by the Olympic rings. Huge masks and spectacular costumes were displayed within those groups. The costumes were designed by Jenny Kee (Africa and Americas), Lisa Ho (Asia), Peter Morrissey (Oceania) and Norma Moriceau (Europe). The climax saw the arrivals join together to form a giant human mosaic. Then they dispersed, leaving behind a large crowd of 2000 children, symbolising Australia's hope for a future of tolerance and understanding

Designer, Eamon D'Arcy, developed the props that featured in Arrivals, a theatrical segment in the Opening Ceremony for the Sydney Olympic Games. This archival material, including design drawings, design concepts and photographs, reflects the design process.

In 1999 and 2000, the Ceremonies Workshop made this archival material while developing the props for Arrivals, a theatrical segment in the Opening Ceremony for the Sydney Olympic Games.

In 1999 and 2000, the Ceremonies Workshop used this archival material in developing the props for Arrivals, a theatrical segment in the Opening Ceremony for the Sydney Olympic Games.

Made for and owned by the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and donated to the Powerhouse Museum after the Games.

Documentation (design drawings, design concepts, and photographs), paper, 'Arrivals', Opening Ceremony for the Olympic Games, Sydney, 2000, used at the Ceremonies Workshop, Sydney 2000

Including an A3 folder en'Arrivals / Reference Material for Costumes, Make Up and Props', an A3 folder 'Arrivals / Props / Ref Images. Designs and Photo Images of Prototype Props', an A3 folder 'Arrivals / Europe + Oceania / Costume Designs', an A3 folder 'Arrivals / Designs by: / Lisa Ho / Jenny Kee / Norma Moriceau / Peter Morrisey', an A3 folder 'Arrivals /Africa + Americas / Costume Designs', an A4 folder 'Asia Designs' and an A4 folder 'Arrivals Makeup'. There is also a photo album containing photographs of the makeup designs for the Arrivals segment. In addition there are 15 Engineers plans / drawings relating to props and floats used in the Arrivals segment.

Made: 2000

See parts for details.

2001/84/556

2000