Marvel’s super heroes have descended on Queensland in a world-first, large-scale exhibition Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe at Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) until 3 September 2017.
QAGOMA Director Chris Saines said the exhibition was the first major Marvel exhibition in Australia and the largest ever presented in an art museum worldwide. “The exhibition is drawn from Marvel Studios’ extensive archive as well as private and public collections including the Library of Congress, Washington DC. It will give audiences an unprecedented insight into the rich fictional world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe,” he said.
‘‘Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe’ encompasses the entire ground floor of GOMA with more than 500 objects including more than 60 original costumes (worn by actors including Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins, Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr. and Tilda Swinton), comic books, props, spectacular set design, concept and keyframe art, clips from Marvel Studios films and bespoke hands-on interactives.”
“Must-see highlights include a large-scale diorama with costumes, props and clips from Captain America: The First Avenger, multiple versions of Iron Man’s suits, the imposing three-metre-tall Hulkbuster armour, and never-before-seen items from the set of Thor: Ragnarok including Hulk’s bed and the majestic Asgardian throne room,” added Mr Saines.
Amanda Slack-Smith, Associate Curator, Australian Cinémathèque, QAGOMA, said the exhibition addressed three key themes: The Cinematic Assembled, Decoding the Universe and Behind the Scenes. “It profiles legendary Marvel characters and their complex personas, focusing on Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Black Widow and Hulk, as well as the Avengers, Ant-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy,” said Ms Slack-Smith.
“In addition to looking at the cinematic experience and the larger narratives at play in the films, the exhibition highlights the work of artists and creative teams behind the much-loved stories – including production design, storyboarding and pre-visualisation, costume and prop design, and visual effects.”
Throughout the exhibition, a retrospective of Marvel Cinematic Universe films will screen in QAGOMA’s Australian Cinémathèque including the breakthrough, Iron Man (2008) through to 2017 releases Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 and Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe
Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), Cultural Precinct, South Bank (Brisbane)
Exhibition continues to 3 September 2017
Admission fees apply
For more information, visit: www.qagoma.qld.gov.au for details.
Image: Production still from Marvel’s The Avengers 2012 / Director: Joss Whedon / © The Walt Disney Company (Australia) Pty Ltd