2018 – Inside the Collection

The two Barbie dolls' costumes consist of a pink 'Rockers' T-shirt, one doll has a pink mini-skirt and tan leggings; the other has a pink jacket and pants ensemble. The styling is indicative of the mid 1980s. The Ken doll's costume is a silver long jacket and pants ensemble with a silver 'Rockers' T-shirt, and silver shoes.

Toys and games from the 1980s

December 26, 2018

Was your childhood spent in the 1980s? Then the names Puggle, He Man, Fabuland, Battle Cat and Teddy Ruxpin will ring a few bells this Christmas. Fantasy toys were an element of the 1980s. The super-hero toys He-Man and his and his faithful steed, Battle Cat, were media merchandising from the Masters of the Universe (MOTU) film, cartoon and comic series.

Two men and a woman stand around a table discussing fashion drawings and fabric samples. They are in the designer’s studio with garments hanging on racks in the background.

Serenely Akira: from storyboard to exhibition

December 20, 2018

Dismantling Reigning Men took a full week of sweat, noise and dust. But from it the MAAS team has crafted a cocoon of serenity designed to celebrate the creativity and subtle complexity of Akira Isogawa, in a new exhibition which opened on 15 December 2018.

There are five rings that can be worn singularly or stacked together. They are displayed stacked together. Each ring has a different shape, one has a projected triangular form, another is made up of two different sized circles, a projecting crescent, another is a two fingered ring with a sunrise shape above and another is a single ring with one rod soldered horizontal.

Vale Wendy Ramshaw

December 18, 2018

Wendy Ramshaw (1939 - 2018) was a leading contemporary British studio jeweller renowned for her innovative approach to jewellery design and production. Ramshaw emerged on the international jewellery scene in the 1970s, exerting a significant influence through inspiring exhibitions, workshops and artist residencies in countries such as the USA and Australia (1978).

Chinese folding fan open on a grey background. The blades are intricately carved ivory and the painted paper surface (leaves) portrays a busy landscape, depicting what looks like a historic scene with many small brightly coloured figures.]

Reflections of Asia: Behind the Scenes with Conservation

December 11, 2018

The Conservation department plays a crucial role in the preparation of the Museum's exhibitions. From the early stages of the exhibition development Conservators work closely with other members of the exhibition team, especially Curators, Designers and Registrars.

View of an exhibition title ‘Reflections of Asia: Collectors and Collection on a white wall and an art work made of blue wire.

Reflections of Asia: Collectors and Collections at MAAS

December 5, 2018

Of 10,000 or so objects in the Museum’s Asian collections, only about 10% have ever been on display. The exhibition titled Reflections of Asia: Collectors and Collections showcases over 500 objects from this extensive collection, developed over 140 years, including wood and lacquerwork, ceramics, metalwork, dress and textiles, contemporary fashion and art.

Food Work Sex Belief: How Art and Science Meet

November 28, 2018

From popular culture to mainstream media to discourse on the post-, trans- and non- human, the human impact of current technological change is palpable. The exhibition Human non Human responds to this sense of anxiousness and exhilaration.

An ornate artwork in silver and white hangs on a black wall. It is in the form of a large symmetrically designed earring formed from silvery coral-like branches set with tear-shaped white glass pendants that look like pearls.

Introducing the Barry Willoughby Bequest for glass and ceramics

November 21, 2018

Bequests have played a major part in the development of the Museum’s collection and have provided us with some of our most important and best-loved objects. Last year MAAS received a particularly generous bequest of objects and funds from Barry John Willoughby, a passionate Sydney collector of decorative arts.

Photograph of a very small country school built of weatherboards with a verandah at the front and concrete area at the side for assemblies.

Remembering School Projectors and Filmstrips

November 14, 2018

Hands up if you remember those old black and white strip films shown in Social Studies lessons at school? The 'blind monitor' would pull down the tall window blinds darkening the classroom, and a screen, usually in front of the blackboard, would be brought down.

The Shape of Time

November 7, 2018

The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences has just launched a new publication, Time and Memory, the second in the MAAS collection series which is supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund. In his introductory essay ‘The Shape of Time’, Principal Curator Matthew Connell places the Museum’s collection within the context of humanity’s understanding and experience of time, and our relationship with memory.

Plinth with 4 female mannequins and 2 male mannequins wearing a mixture of casual and formal clothing.

Slow fashion and upcycling – an interview with Rachael Cassar

October 31, 2018

Concerns about the harmful impact of the global fashion industry on the environment and worker exploitation, particularly in the case of low priced, low quality fast fashion, has prompted the exploration of alternative ways to source materials and produce garments.

Donating to the MAAS collection

October 24, 2018

Ever wondered how to donate to a museum? Curator Tilly Boleyn reveals what to consider before you get in touch. Spring is a busy time. Flowers are blooming, lambs are frolicking and people are clearing out their sheds thinking, “I wonder if I should donate this to a museum?”.

Photograph of Nina Earl in Light Ball Orchestra in Future Park exhibition

Meet the Curator: Nina Earl

October 17, 2018

Name: Nina Earl Role: Assistant Curator What is your area of expertise? All things science but currently I am reading and learning about 3D printing. The exciting part is that I get to visit research laboratories and see what is happening in the speculative research of this area.

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