DISCO diva Kylie Minogue is sending her treasured costumes, memorabilia and films to Ararat.
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Minogue’s Kylie on Stage exhibition is set to arrive in town mid-next year to mark the opening of the $6 million Ararat arts precinct redevelopment.
Featured designers Dolce & Gabbana, John Galliano, Julien Macdonald, Karl Lagerfeld and Jean Paul Gaultier, as well as Australians Peter Morrissey and Mark Burnett are part of the custom-made collection dating back to 1989.
Victorian Creative Industries Minister Martin Foley made the sparkling announcement in Ararat Art Gallery on Thursday afternoon, as well as an $80,000 grant to develop engagement in the arts for the region.
Mr Foley said it was important Ararat, like any regional town, realised it had just as much right to host a major exhibition as the state’s captial. The Minister opened Kylie on Stage with Kylie at Arts Centre Melbourne and said Ararat was in for a treat.
“It’s amazing really, what Kylie and her parents have done in sharing this,” Mr Foley said. “I believe it was her dad who approached the arts centre in the early 90s because he was sick of all the costumes building up in the garage and house. Ever since they’ve kept a close relationship with the gallery and added pieces all the time.
“...Launching in the arts centre, and the popularity it has had, it just screamed out to have more people visit, no matter where they are, to share the best cultural opportunities is what this exhibition is about.”
The exhibition moves through five main Kylie themes: Disco Diva Next door, Pink and Proud, Post-modern Pop Princess, Showgirl, Mercurial Moves.
But the infamous gold hot pants from Kylie’s Spinning Around film clip in 2000 were now too fragile to be put on display.
Ararat mayor Paul Hooper said it was a great coup for the new arts precinct and was about the city grabbing whatever opportunities came its way to really capitalise on the redevelopment and tourism it may bring.
The limited regional tour will also stop in Mildura and Geelong.