Costume from the Sydney 2000 Olympic games closing ceremony
Datec 2000
Object number00036099
NameShorts
MediumCotton
DimensionsOverall: 635 x 440 mm, 0.2 kg
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from the NSW Government, part of the Sydney 2000 Games Collection
DescriptionThis 'Surfer Girl' costume was designed by Australian fashion designer Peter Morrissey and manufactured at the Ceremonies Costume Workshop in Redfern. It was worn by a young dancer on the Oceania float in the Arrivals segment of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. The cotton shorts feature a photographically printed image of a male surfboard rider taken from a postcard.HistoryThe Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony was made up of three sections, including mandatory formalities, a cultural display and the entrance of the athletes.
The Arrivals segment was part of the cultural display of the Opening Ceremony, and focused on the theme of Australia's multiculturalism and migration. In this segment five floats carrying performers appeared. Each float represented a continemt and took the colour of one of the Olympic rings. Black was used for the African nations, yellow the Asian nations, red the Americas, green was used for Europe and blue for Oceania. The costumes for each float were designed by prominent Australian fashion designers; Jenny Kee (Africa and Americas), Lisa Ho (Asia), Norma Moriceau (Europe) and Peter Morrissey (Oceania).
Performers were selected from schools, community groups and from cultural and ethnic support groups. Approximately 500 performers danced around and on each of the five floats in the costumes created by the designers.SignificanceThe costume is an important document of Peter Morissey's response to Australian beach culture. It represents a contemporary interpretation of the place surfing has in constructions of Australian identity.
