Exhibition: Music, Melbourne + Me: 40 Years of Mushroom & Melbourne’s Music Culture

Music, Melbourne + Me: 40 Years of Mushroom & Melbourne’s Music Culture, the much anticipated retrospective exhibition will open its doors to the public at 11am on Tuesday 19 November. The free exhibition is open daily until 22 February 2014 at RMIT Gallery on Swanston St in Melbourne’s CBD.

The exhibition features many items from the Mushroom Group’s extensive memorabilia collection, plus a number of items from the personal collections of Michael Gudinski, Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum, Kylie Minogue, Skyhooks, Split Enz and Crowded House never before seen in public exhibition.

VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO:
· Watch footage of the iconic Sunbury Festival

· Check out Kylie’s iconic diamante-encrusted microphone up close

· Listen to Red Symons talk about the ‘Living in the 70’s’ album cover

· Hear more about the SLAM movement

· Find out Adalita’s favourite live music venue

· Gain insight into Michael Gudinski’s proudest moments

· Learn what Paul Kelly’s favourite Mushroom album is

· Discover who Dan Sultan considers his mentor

In addition, the exhibition will feature a jukebox featuring the public’s favourite Melbourne songs (as voted by Herald Sun readers and Triple M listeners) and much, much more.

It is a celebration of the last four decades of Melbourne’s popular music scene represented through songs, posters, photographs, costumes, memorabilia and iconic Melbourne rock venues. The exhibition is curated by RMIT Gallery Director and Chief Curator Suzanne Davies; Program Director of the B.A. Music Industry in the School of Media and Communication RMIT Melbourne Dr Kipps Horn; and CEO of the Mushroom Group Michael Gudinski AM.

A visually and aurally rich exhibition documenting Melbourne’s music culture, it encapsulates the story behind the growth of Melbourne’s music industry. It celebrates the success of Melbourne recording artists both nationally and internationally and highlights in particular the commencement and success of Australia’s biggest independent record label – and Melbourne’s own – Mushroom Records. Mushroom was founded by Michael Gudinski in 1972 and has since evolved into the Mushroom Group, Australia’s largest independent music and entertainment group which includes nearly two dozen companies.

There is a fully interactive iPhone and Android exhibition app which is designed to enhance the visitors’ experience. It is scheduled to be downloadable from app stores by the end of opening week.

CEO of the Mushroom Group, Michael Gudinski AM said that he was thrilled to be working together with RMIT Gallery to co-present the exhibition – “Melbourne is certainly one of the greatest cities in the world to enjoy music and this exhibition is a great way to celebrate the past and preview the future.” The City of Melbourne awarded Michael Gudinski their prestigious 2012 Melburnian of the Year title last year.

RMIT Gallery Director and Chief Curator, Suzanne Davies said that the exhibition developed from the research by RMIT’s School of Media and Communication into aspects of celebrity, nostalgia and the popular music culture – “Melbourne is Australia’s home of live music and over the past 40 years, live music venues, fashion and all other aspects of fandom and celebrity have become integral to the lives of many Melburnians – something this exhibition will celebrate.”

What: Music, Melbourne + Me: 40 Years of Mushroom & Melbourne’s Music Culture

When: 19 November 2013 – 22 February 2014
RMIT Gallery
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday – 11am to 5pm
Thursday – 11am to 7pm
Closed Sundays, public holidays and 25 December to January 1

Where: RMIT Gallery, 344 Swanston Street, Melbourne

Admission: Free

For further Music, Melbourne + Me exhibition news, information and updates please visit www.musicmelbourneandme.com