Mix Tape 1980s: Appropriation, Subculture, Critical Style featuring works by Dale Frank, Marc Newson, Katie Pye and Jenny Bannister

What were you doing in the 80’s? We were wearing fluro and making mix tapes. The Ian Potter Centre’s latest exhibition is an ode to the days of dance offs and leg warmers.

More than 120 works make up “Mix tape 1980s: Appropriation, Subculture, Critical Style”, a blast from the past featuring some of our most iconic artists. 

Before Marc Newson was designing Qantas First Class Lounges, he was an art student in Sydney. The Lockhead Lounge is the riveted metal chaise that catapulted him to success and it’s on show just so you can drool over it. They don’t sell these in the gift shop.

Melbourne born and bred Howard Arkley will always be remembered for bringing spray paint to suburbia and his “Graffiti Head” was probably the first time we took notice of the medium.

This is no somber gallery space. Playlists created by five Mix Tape Artists pump post-punk, dance and pop through the rooms. Philip Brophy mixes up David Bowie and Talking Heads, while Susan Cohn can do no wrong with Cyndi Lauper and the Eurythmics. After all, girls just want to have fun. 

Catch up on fashion with clips from the 80s runway shows, peruse vintage Melbourne street press or check out a montage of music videos heavy on skinny jeans and Ray Bans. 

You’ll love the last room, where mannequins model enough studded leather and eye popping prints to make you dizzy. 

Mix tape 1980s: Appropriation, Subculture, Critical Style
Until September 1
Level 3, The Ian Potter Center, NGV Australia
Federation Square
10am-5pm Tues – Sun
Entry is free

Image Credits:

Image 1: Mix Tape 1980s: Appropriation, Subculture, Critical Style featuring works by Maria Kozic, Jeff Gibson and Vivienne Shark LeWitt
Image 2: Installation view of Mix Tape 1980s: Appropriation, Subculture, Critical Style
Image 3: Installation view of Mix Tape 1980s: Appropriation, Subculture, Critical Style