Two years of waiting and $40 million of development later, the Australian Center for the Moving Image is back. And we couldn’t be happier, seeing as ACMI’s Federation Square museum and cinema centre has been kitted out with some world-first screen culture displays.
Here’s what has changed at ACMI after the exciting renovation, the good stuff that’s stayed the same, and why Melburnians and visitors should definitely find time to stroll through the new screen experiences.
Just like the old ACMI, the redevelopment is still built around a free 1,600sqm centerpiece exhibition. Now with around 1000 significant objects from the past, present, and possibly the future of the moving image, in all its chameleonic forms.
Visitors can see costumes and props from Australian productions like The Favourite and True History of the Kelly Gang, as well as playing with hands-on screen techniques like foley sound recording and film editing.
Costumes are made to pop on camera, but they aren't made to last. Costume conservator Marion Parker helps costumes last longer, so that they can ✨pop✨ in our new exhibition.
Book your free visit: https://t.co/SG9gcoWXos pic.twitter.com/r8EjjZERlr— ACMI (@ACMI) February 6, 2021
The fascinating new displays and events at ACMI include stunning large-scale and site-specific artworks such as John Harvey’s Canopy and Gunditjmara artist Vicki Couzens’ work Yanmeearr, and an exhibition of costume conservator Marion Parker’s painstaking work.
Really impressed by the @ACMI relaunch. So many great ideas, including my favourite, where you hold old home movies projected in your hands. pic.twitter.com/Bzq3TH7FI4
— Dan Golding (@dangolding) February 10, 2021
As usual, ACMI will offer event, cinema, and hospitality spaces, such as a fancy new restaurant led by chef Karen Martini, and a world-first media preservation lab.
Open daily with free entry to its major exhibits, ACMI also hosts countless classic and contemporary movie screenings, which you can buy tickets for through ACMI’s website.
"I am in the picture – therefore I am." I walk through the @ACMI's $40 million redevelopment: an imaginarium of illusions, projections, films, video games, interactive displays & more. A must for Melburnians https://t.co/lCtsP32hfH pic.twitter.com/qe6B2jffig
— Luke Buckmaster (@lukebuckmaster) February 10, 2021
