Powerhouse Parramatta, the largest museum in NSW, officially opened on Saturday 7 November, bringing five major exhibitions exploring art, science, technology and history to the banks of the Parramatta River.
Located on Burramattagal and Dharug land, near the Parramatta ferry wharf and within walking distance of rail and light rail services, the museum features five floors across two buildings, public spaces, a rooftop terrace and a riverside restaurant.
Four of the five opening exhibitions are free, while Task Eternal is ticketed for adults but free for children under 16. The venue also offers conference and function facilities.
The five opening exhibitions explore subjects ranging from First Nations connections to water and the history of retail to aviation, science and interactive art.
Overflow explores water and its significance to First Nations peoples, including connections to Country and home. The exhibition invites visitors to remove their shoes and paddle in a large artificial lake representing the Parramatta River. Beyond the lake, a large screen presents seven films exploring water as a form of communication and its importance to sustainability.
Es Devlin: The Turning, by British artist Es Devlin, explores the relationship between the natural world and human life, drawing parallels between lungs and trees. The exhibition includes drawings of 244 local bird species threatened with extinction and a mirrored pavilion featuring stairs, alcoves and pathways. Visitors are invited to contribute their own drawings and take home an illustrated work by the artist.
The Mall examines the history of shopping centres and retail in Parramatta, reflecting the city’s development as a major commercial precinct. Displays include David Jones window installations, architectural elements dating from 1920, early Art Deco lifts, railway ticket machines, shopping centre seating and signage, EFTPOS machines and an early retail air-conditioning control panel.
The Dark brings together interactive installations exploring toys, light, performance and technology. Features include a forest of monsters, toys from different eras, pop-up stages with shadow puppetry, ultraviolet lighting illuminating radioactive pressed-glass household objects, a red room, and an accumulation room displaying objects with historical significance. Other installations include a hall of LED lights and an interactive spaceship.
Task Eternal traces the history of aviation and space exploration, from the mechanics of bird flight and hot-air ballooning to modern aerospace technology. Exhibits include material relating to Dick Smith’s ballooning adventures, a replica of an early Qantas aircraft, artefacts from the 1931 Southern Cloud disaster and the achievements of pioneering Australian aviator Lores Bonney.
The exhibition also features Cold War missiles, Qantas uniforms from the 1970s, Rolls-Royce aircraft engines, a Russian Sokol pressure suit from 1990 and an Apollo command module.
Together, the exhibitions present a broad exploration of art, science, technology, history and the environment, with interactive experiences designed to engage visitors of different ages.
And one final tip from this visitor: look out for the secret rooms. I’ll say no more – prepare to be amazed.
