World-First ‘Goddess’ Exhibition Set For ACMI, Melbourne

Want to WIN 3x double passes to ACMI’s world-first exhibition ‘Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion’? Here’s your chance.

‘My one, when all is said and done,’ Ariana Grande croons in her 2018 hit. ‘You’ll believe God is a woman’. We’ve all belted those iconic lyrics. Now, the Australian’s National museum of screen culture (ACMI) is taking the sentiment to a whole new level. Gather your best pals, because this is one exhibition you’ll want to see alongside fellow pop culture fans. 

“Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion” is the title of ACMI’s original exhibition and is part of the Victorian Government’s 2023 Melbourne Winter Masterpieces blockbuster offering. In what will no doubt be the highlight of Melbourne’s cultural scene this year, Goddess lauds the women and gender-transcending goddesses who have transformed Hollywood. 

Opening April 5 and running until October 1, this landmark exhibition will examine the resilience and determination of the entertainment industry’s leading icons who, throughout history, have refused to be confined to narrow gender roles. 

Unsatisfied with being stuck in the ‘starlett’ or ‘bombshell’ box, these stars questioned norms and fought an inherently biassed system for control and creative freedom both on and off the screen. Through their work, they challenged feminine stereotypes and paved the way for future generations to do the same. 

So, what can you expect to see in the Goddess exhibit? With over 150 unique highlights, you’ll find yourself blissfully lost in a world of glamour and feminist representation in film. The collection itself features never-before-seen costumes, projections, props, sketches and immersive experiences, including sensory video works and soundscapes by Melbourne-based composer Chiara Kickdrum.

Think: the groundbreaking portrayals and iconic outfits of Marlene Dietrich in Morocco (1930), Tilda Swinton in “Orlando” (1992) and Pam Grier’s boundary-breaking Blaxploitation film career. Or the impact of Elaine Crombie in “Kiki and Kitty” (2017) and Margot Robbie in “Birds of Prey” (2020). The line-up also explores Meena Kumari’s performance in “Pakeezah” (1972) and the unfolding representations of womanhood in film throughout India, China and Japan.  

Led by ACMI Curator Bethan Johnson, each piece was carefully selected for its significance and contribution to shifting women’s representation on screen. Wander the rooms filled with inspirational stories, characters and moments, and take in the treasures, trinkets and tributes to the incredible women and non-binary actors who have made their mark on Hollywood.  

If you show up on opening day, you might even spot two-time Academy Award-winning actor Geena Davis in the flesh. As the lead ambassador for the exhibition, Davis will be in Melbourne to host an exclusive full-day exploration into gender representation and diversity on screens. 

This is one exhibition you don’t want to miss. 

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Goddess will be open for the first time at ACMI in Melbourne on 5th April 2023, before touring internationally. Enter below for your chance to win 3x Double Pass tickets to see the exhibition. Or book your tickets at the link here. 

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