Swamp Daisy costume for the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games
Object No. 2001/84/99
The Swamp Daisy costume consists of an elaborate headdress and oversize 'tutu' skirt. The plastic and fibreglass head-dress is supported with an aluminium harness and is covered in cones on nylon tulle. The skirt is constructed from layers of tulle and feathers. The costume featured in the Nature segment of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony and is one of 20 identical costumes used. It was designed by Eamon D'Arcy and manufactured under the coordination ofthe Ceremonies Costume Workshop at Redfern, NSW. The Nature segment of the Opening Ceremony, directed by Peter Wilson, presented a theatrical representation of Australia's native flora and fauna. The Sydney 2000 Post-games Report describes the segment: Fresh green shoots appeared, plants began to bloom, leaves grew along the branches of the eucalypt trees, as desert and bush and rivers came alive to the strident laugh of the kookaburra and the screeching of parrots. Dominant among the budding, swelling, ultimately blooming flowerbuds were red waratahs, red and black Sturt's Desert peas, pink waterlilies and yellow banksias. Following them came pink and purple honey-myrtles, blue wildflowers and swamp daisies. As the lakes and waterholes of the inland filled, flocks of birds arrived to breed, and then Australia's unique animals came to visit, among them the kangaroo, platypus, echidna and goanna. Through creative choreography and puppetry, and sequence after sequence of fresh new images, and a continuing fusion of colour, the stadium took on the look of a beautiful living garden. Through this great flowering landscape walked the Songman Djakapurra, stopping at a giant waratah to collect the Hero Girl, who was still dreaming. (Sydney 2000 Post- Games Report, http://www.gamesinfo.com.au/postgames/en/ pg002508.htm). During the segment the lights in the stadium were dimmed as the costumes 'lit up', creating a floral wonderland. The headdresses are fitted with lights powered from a battery pack around the waist of the performer, during the 'light up' sequence the performers activate a switch causing the costume to illuminate. The Swamp Daisy performers moved the 'skirt' up to shoulder height during the performance creating an image of the Swamp Daisy.
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Summary
Object Statement
Performance costume, 'Swamp Daisy', fabric/fibreglass/plastic, designed by Eamon D'Arcy, made by the Ceremonies Costume Workshop, used in Opening Ceremony of Olympic Games, Sydney, 2000
Physical Description
Performance costume, 'Swamp Daisy', fabric/fibreglass/plastic, designed by Eamon D'Arcy, made by the Ceremonies Costume Workshop, used in Opening Ceremony of Olympic Games, Sydney, 2000 Consists of a tulle headdress and hoop frame tulle skirt. The headdress is supported by a metal harness that goes over the shoulders of the wearer. Extending up from the harness is a metal pole supporting a bike helmet that has been covered with pink shiny plastic. The metal framework for the headdress extends from the bike helmet. The framework is covered with rolls of pink white, purple and orange tulle. The circular skirt is constructed on a metal and fibreglass hoop frame that has been covered with layers of white and pink tulle cut into petal shapes. White and pink feathers have been attached around the outside of the circular skirt.
PRODUCTION
Notes
Eamon D'Arcy originally trained in theatre design at the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney. He later continued his studies at the English National Opera Theatre Design School (London) and recently completed his Master of Philosophy degree in the Department of Art History and Theory, University of Sydney. In addition to his designs for the Opening Ceremony, D'Arcy was also Production Designer for the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, Opening and Closing Ceremonies including all Medal Ceremonies. He was Production Designer for the Handover Ceremony at the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta, USA and Production Designer for the Handover Ceremony, Manchester Commonwealth Games 2002, the Melbourne 2006 Games Committee Other work includes Designer of the NSW Float for the recent 2001 Federation Day Parade in Sydney and Festival Designer for the Queensland Biennial, Festival of Music, 2001. Theatre design work includes; ? Associate Designer for the musicals Singing in the Rain 2001 and Cabaret 2002. ? Production designer for the musical Hot Shoe Shuffle and The Man from Snowy River Arena Spectacular in 2002 ? Set and Costume Designer for Black Chicks Talking 2002 - 2003. ? Set Designer for the musical Hair touring Australia 2003 and Burn the Floor touring USA in 2002 - 2003 D'Arcy's designs for the Nature segment featured animated flower costumes in which the performers body became part of the flower. In addition to the complex sculptural forms featuring a variety of colours and textures, the costumes are During the performance the Swamp Daisies manipulated their skirts by moving them up to shoulder height forming a Swamp Daisy from the aerial view. The head-dress is fitted with light globes powered from a battery pack around the waist of the performer, during the 'light up' sequence the performers activated a switch causing the costume to illuminate. Maker name Coordinated by Ceremonies Costume Workshop.
HISTORY
Notes
Worn by one of 20 Swamp Daisy performers who moved the 'skirt' up to shoulder height during the performance creating an image of the Swamp Daisy, which then lit up as the performers activated a switch during the 'light up' sequence. Presented to the Powerhouse Museum by the Olympic Coordination Authority, on behalf of the NSW Government
SOURCE
Credit Line
Part of the Sydney 2000 Games Collection. Gift of the New South Wales Government, 2001
Acquisition Date
5 October 2001
Copyright for the above image is held by the Powerhouse and may be subject to third-party copyright restrictions. Please submit an Image Licensing Enquiry for information regarding reproduction, copyright and fees. Text is released under Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivative licence.
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