MCA Unpacked was an exhibition drawn from the MCA’s collections. In this exhibition, seven individuals distinguished in the humanities, science, law, politics and the arts chose thematic groupings from the collection, creating displays that were meaningful to them and reflected their personal interests or professional training.
MCA Unpacked was an exhibition drawn from the MCA’s collections. In this exhibition, seven individuals distinguished in the humanities, science, law, politics and the arts chose thematic groupings from the collection, creating displays that were meaningful to them and reflected their personal interests or professional training.
The selectors were filmmaker Jane Campion; research scientist Professor Adrienne Clarke; fashion designer Akira Isogawa; writer Drusilla Modjeska; Artistic Director of the Sydney Dance Company, Graeme Murphy; magistrate Dr Pat O’Shane; and former Chairperson of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, Dr Evelyn Scott.
This exhibition aimed to open the MCA’s collections up to new interpretations and perspectives. With no curatorial restrictions placed upon the selectors, each display varied in its style, theme and presentation. Essays by each selector outlined their approach to the selection process, describing which works they selected and why. From art storage to gallery floor, MCA Unpacked moved away from the standard museum-curated exhibition, proposing an alternative model for ‘unpacking’ the visual culture of our time.
The exhibition was continued in 2003 with a second iteration, MCA Unpacked II.
Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) – 14 Mar 2001 - 11 Jun 2001
Newcastle Art Gallery – 26 Oct 2001 - 02 Dec 2001
Coffs Harbour City Gallery – 13 Dec 2001 - 26 Jan 2002
Orange Regional Gallery– 26 Apr 2002 -02 Jun 2002
Grafton Regional Art Gallery – 17 Jul 2002 - 06 Oct 2002
Caloundra Regional Art Gallery– 04 Dec 2002 - 26 Jan 2003
QUT Art Museum– 07 Feb 2003 - 13 Apr 2003
Wagga Wagga Regional Art Gallery– 12 May 2003 - 17 Aug 2003
Text extracted from the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia website.