This is one of hundreds of tap dancing plates used in 'Eternity', a theatrical segment of the Opening Ceremony for the Sydney Olympic Games. Directed by Nigel Triffitt and choreographed by Dein Perry and Doug Jack, it combined music, lighting and tap dance to build an abstract world of scaffolding and machinery - a theme that celebrated Australia's modern industry. Wearing cotton singlets, flannelette shirts, shorts and steel-capped boots, 1000 tap dancers performed on the aluminium plates, the rhythm of their steps complementing the segment's industrial theme. This and other aluminium plates were designed and made at the Ceremonies Workshop at Eveleigh.

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.

Director, Nigel Triffitt, designed this tap dancing plate which featured in the 'Eternity' segment of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. Lightweight and portable, it was carried onto the arena by one of a thousand tap dancers and was used as a dancing surface throughout the segment. With handles at its sides and electrical tape lining its edges, the plate was safe to use and easy to handle.

This aluminium tap dancing plate was one of a thousand made by the Ceremonies Construction Team at the Ceremonies Workshop at Eveleigh in 2000. Its sides have been incised with handles and its edges have been lined with silver electrical tape.

This tap dancing plate featured in the 'Eternity' segment of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. Lightweight and portable, it was carried onto the arena by one of a thousand tap dancers and was used as a dancing surface throughout the segment. The ceremony was held at Stadium Australia on 15 September 2000.

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

Tap plate, aluminium, designed by Nifel Triffitt , made by the Ceremonies Workshop, Eveleigh, 2000, used in 'Eternity', Opening Ceremony for the Olympic Games, Sydney, 2000, Stadium Australia, 15 September 2000

Tap plate, aluminium, square. The surface of the plate is rough with a raised pattern embossed into the surface of the plate to provide grip. The four corners of the plate are rounded. A curved rectangular hand hole has been cut through the surface of each side of the plate to form two handles. Ochre colouring has been rubbed into the surface of the plate. All the edges of the plate have been taped with silver/ grey gaffer tape. The back of the plate is smooth.

Made: 2000

2001/84/266

2000

3 mm

800 mm