This costume titled Zig Zag Circle was worn in the Arrivals segment of the Olympic Opening Ceremony held on September 15, 2000.The costume was part of the Africa float and was designed by Jenny Kee.

The Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games was comprised of three major sections: the mandatory formalities and protocol sections, the cultural display and the entrance of the athletes. Within the cultural display, there were eight segments titled: Welcome, Deep Sea Dreaming, Awakening, Fire, Nature, Tin Symphony, Arrivals and Eternity.

This costume was used in the Arrivals segment of the Opening Ceremony. This segment aimed to produce a theatrical representation of Australia's multiculturalism. The programme for the Olympic Opening Ceremony states: The history of Australia is the history of migration. We have come from all corners of the planet to form a vibrant, culturally rich and constantly evolving society. In this segment, a new group of arrivals form the Olympic symbol that unites the five continents of the world. They disperse, leaving behind their children - our hope for the future. More children appear until two thousand gather to form the pattern of the night sky, containing the distinctive Southern Cross constellation. From the centre of the structure Nikki Webster performs "Under Southern Skies' to celebrate the unity of all our people.

There were five floats in the Arrivals segment. Each float represented a continent of the world. Using the symbolism of the colours of Olympic rings, each continent/float was represented by a colour. Black was used to represent the African nations, yellow the Asian nations, red the Americas, green was used for Europe and blue for Oceania. (Australia was part of the Oceania float).

Fashion and film designers rather than theatrical designers were chosen to provide a contemporary, cutting edge, high fashion look to the costumes. The designers were Jenny Kee - Africa and Americas, Lisa Ho - Asia, Norma Moriceau - Europe and Peter Morrissey - Oceania.

Performers were selected from schools, community groups and from cultural and ethnic support groups. Approximately 500 performers danced around and on each of the five floats in the costumes created by the designers.

The 'Zig Zag Circle' consists of a padded and appliquÂ?d circular skirt, headdress and triangular tabard. Also included in the costume are black, silver and terracotta padded arm and leg pieces.

The costume was constructed by the Ceremonies Costume Workshop in the year 2000 and worn by performer Awut Akuen of the Sudanese Women's Cultural Centre.

Jenny Kee (born Sydney 1947) is one of Australia's most significant and creative clothing and textile designers. Kee is best known for designing and retailing a unique range of colourful clothing and knitwear. Her work is characterised by the graphic and dynamic nature of her design style, as well as her ability interpret cultural icons in a highly original way. For this project Kee's vision was "Homage to the Spirit of Africa. Bestowing peace, love and unity upon the world for Mother Earth". She collaborated with Creative Consultant Jan Thornley and Costume Artist Paula Martin and team.

Kee and her collaborators applied a rigorous research and design development process to realise the costumes for the Africa float. The works drew their inspiration from many regions and aspects of African culture and history.

Various textile designs were developed by Kee, using black as a palette base, contrasted with cream, terracotta, ochre and metallic touches. Kee states that " My work starts with the graphic expression of ideas. I adapted universal African emblems - a series of drawings revealing unifying threads, building layers of meaning through my fabrics and costumes. I want to celebrate the richness and sophistication of this vibrant continent."

The design of the Zig Zag Circle costume demonstrates a contemporary interpretation of African tribal design. The distinctive zig zags and geometric patterning featured in the costume have been appliquÂ?d using the full palette of colours developed by Kee for the Africa float. Ndebele inspired armlets and anklets complete the Zig Zag Circle costume.

Maker name Bettine Roynan and the Ceremonies Costume Workshop.

Worn by Awut Akuen

Presented to the Powerhouse Museum by the Olympic Coordination Authority, on behalf of the NSW Government

Performance costume, 'Zig Zag Circle', fabric/foam/fibreglass, designed by Jenny Kee, used in Opening Ceremony of Sydney 2000 Olympic Games

Consists of a headdress, skirt, tabard, armbands and leggings. The headdress is constructed on a cylinder of foam that flares out towards the top of the headdress. The foam is covered with black cotton that has been appliquÂ?d with zigzags of black, white, ochre and terracotta coloured cotton. The circular padded skirt is made from black cotton lined with quilt wadding and another layer of black cotton. The surface of the skirt has been appliquÂ?d with metallic discs and diamonds and is quilted in irregular zig zag patterns in black, white, ochre and terracotta coloured cotton. The tabard consists of two triangular pieces of foam that have been covered with black cotton and appliquÂ?d with white and ochre triangles. A pair of padded black/terracotta/white cotton armbands and a pair black/terracotta/white padded leggings completes the costume.

Made: 2000

2001/84/150

2000