POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

'Water Lily' costume from Sydney Olympic Games Opening Ceremony

Object No. 2001/84/93

The Water Lily costume consists of a pink nylon lycra unitard with separate hood and a pod structure with wings based on an aluminium frame harness. The costume featured in the Nature segment of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, where it was one of approximately 120 identical costumes worn by male and female performers. The costume was designed by Eamon D'Arcy. Manufacture was coordinated by the Ceremonies Costume Workshop in 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 pods 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 Water Lilies clustered together in circles in groups of 14 during the performance and other performers placed oversized water lily leaves at the base of the structures formed by the 14 individual dual 'petals' thus forming full Water Lilies.

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Summary

Object Statement

Performance costume, titled 'Water Lily', fabric/fibreglass/foam/aluminium, designed by Eamon D'Arcy, made by Ceremonies Costume Workshop and La Patrice, used in Opening Ceremony of Olympic Games, Sydney, 2000

Physical Description

Performance costume, 'Water Lily', fabric/fibreglass/foam/aluminium, designed by Eamon D'Arcy, made by Ceremonies Costume Workshop and La Patrice, used in Opening Ceremony of Olympic Games, Sydney, 2000 Consists of a unitard made from pink stretch synthetic fabric, a hood also made from pink stretch synthetic fabric and a Water Lily pod structure. The Water Lily pod has been constructed on an aluminium frame that has been covered with foam and pink synthetic fabric with clear circular sequins. The Water Lily pod is worn using a metal harness that goes over the shoulders of the wearer.

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 The pods 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 Water Lilies clustered together in circles in groups of 14 during the performance and other performers placed oversized water lily leaves at the base of the structures formed by the 14 individual dual 'petals': thus forming full Water Lilies.

HISTORY

Notes

Worn by one of approximately 112 performers who during the performance clustered together in circles in groups of 14 whilst other performers placed oversized water lily leaves at the base of the structures formed by the 14 individual dual 'petals' thus forming full Water Lilies. The Water Lilies then lit up as each performer activated a light in the pod structure. 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

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