From classic Hollywood heroines to devious villains, ACMI is paying tribute to formidable women on screen in their Melbourne Winter Masterpieces blockbuster, Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion. This exhibition, curated by ACMI, features large-scale projections, never-before-seen costumes, cinematic treasures and interactive experiences. There’s also a range of other program highlights for Goddess, including curator tours and live music events. Goddess will run in Melbourne from April 5 to October 1, before touring internationally.
Goddess by ACMI
This exhibition looks at on-screen personas that have defined and disrupted the feminine ideal. Explore everything from the icons of the silent era to the stars of Bollywood blockbusters in over 120 years of movie history. Over 150 original objects, artworks, props and sketches are on display. Many of them have never been seen before in Australia. On top of that, there’s also plenty of lush costuming, immersive video works and evocative soundscapes by Melbourne-based composer Chiara Kickdrum.
The exhibition questions the stereotypes surrounding women on screen, and honours the achievements of trailblazing leading women.
But, there are still boundaries to break and things that can be changed to work towards a brighter future.
What else can you expect at Goddess?
Goddess Nights
Stay out late with the after-dark series, Goddess Nights. These late-night events enhance the exhibition with a dynamic program of live music and performances.
The first night kicks off on Thursday May 25. Listen to femme-centric live music and enjoy a curated selection of food and drink. Artists on the line-up include DJ JNETT, CD, POOKIE and Ayebatonye.
Then, on Thursday July 27, listen to First Nations artist DK Kalyani, as well as Komang and DJ Mothafunk.
Finally, on Thursday September 28, enjoy sets from Claddy, emerging DJ Brown Suga Princess, GLO and C.FRIM B2B Mirasai.
The Goddess Weekend
Celebrate local goddesses and celebrate their achievements with a weekend of free live music, pop-up performances, screenings, workshops and demos. Listen to experts, like business owners, creatives, screen industry shakers and innovators, share their expertise with a range of topics, like working in a male-dominant industry. There’s also an exciting program of improv comedy, make-up demonstrations, fashion, craft and dance workshops. The Goddess Weekend will run from September 2 to 3.
Divine Trailblazers
Enjoy a cinematic tribute to contemporary actors at the peak of their careers, like Michelle Yeoh, Angela Bassett and Emma Thompson. The program includes incredible films like Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Drover’s Wife, Tár and The Woman King.
Goddess ACMI Curator Tours
Enjoy out-of-hours access to the exhibition on a guided tour. Learn the stories behind the women on screen in further detail. To keep the exhibition accessible to all visitors, there will be Auslan Tours, Audio Described Tours and Relaxed Visits on offer.
On top of that, there will be School Holiday Drop-in Workshops from June 26 to July 7. This will keep young minds occupied with a range of craft workshops inspired by popular family-friendly film and TV stars.
Goddess Sundays
Catch weekly film screenings on Sunday afternoons, across the duration of the exhibition. These films will showcase some of the boundary breakers in the exhibition, including Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot and Anna Tsuchiya in Sakuran. Goddess Sundays will run until August 27.