George Ferraro, Karen J Jakubec, Deb Frost & Jane Guthrey preparing the “Tree Dress” to be lifted.
Image: Caroline Carter
Source: Museum Victoria
Exhibition Collection Management recently had the pleasure of installing the fabulous Dame Edna Everage 'Tree Dress' in the Australia Gallery, as part of the celebrations for Ednafest.
Dressing the mannequin proved quite a workout, as the dress's weight required the efforts of ECM, Conservation and Performing Arts Museum staff. Deb Frost was quoted as saying the delivery of the crate was the biggest since Keku's for the Mummies exhibition!
Installation proved another workout, with a forklift and five staff on hand to ensure the safe 'planting' of the dress on the plinth. As you can see from the images at right, adjustments to the outer skirt and silken hoop skirt had to be done from 'down under'.
Borrowed from the Performing Arts Centre, this specially created dress was worn by Dame Edna Everage for the stage show: Back to my Roots and Other Suckers. Closer examination reveals the many creatures adorning the skirt, bodice and arms, including a koala, possum (of course!), lizards, snakes and spiders.
Now beckoning from the entrance of the Australia Gallery, the fabulous Tree Dress will be on display until the end of January 2007.