Ever wondered how your favourite Colombian roast made it into your barista’s coffee machine? Are you curious about how containers can be repurposed in a variety of ways?
The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) brings to Darwin an exciting new outdoor exhibition exploring the history and impact of containerisation. Uncover how the humble shipping container has revolutionised the way we live at “Container: the box that changed the world”, presented in partnership with the Australian National Maritime Museum.
“You can literally ‘step inside the box’ to inspect six containers peppered around the museum carpark like giant Lego pieces. Each boldly coloured container covers one component of this six-part touring exhibition,” explains MAGNT Director Marcus Schutenko.
Container is a free, outdoor interactive exhibition housed entirely within six 20-foot shipping containers. Check out the fascinating history, contemporary impact and future outlook of this useful object. Learn about how the role of shipping impacts on you daily, the origins of everyday objects and even container architecture.
“This dry season, you can expect to be delighted by the quirky and innovative ways containers are used beyond shipping. This includes ‘small homes’, food trucks, art installations and even swimming pools,” said Mr Schutenko.
Kevin Sumption, Director and CEO of the Australian National Maritime Museum said, “As an island nation, 99% of Australia’s trade is conducted by sea freight.
The Container exhibition highlights the importance of this industry and how it touches all of us. Thanks to MAGNT, we are excited to be sharing this often overlooked story with people in Darwin.”
Produced by the Australian National Maritime Museum with the assistance of NSW Ports. The tour to Darwin is sponsored by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and supported by Shipping Australia and Royal Wolf Australia. The Australian National Maritime Museum would like to acknowledge the financial and logistical support provided by the staff of Royal Wolf Australia. Their assistance has been invaluable in ensuring this exhibit could reach Darwin despite the COVID 19 pPandemic.
MAGNT acknowledges Power and Water Corporation and Sitzler for their support.
The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) is the Northern Territory’s premier cultural organisation. Our principal facility since 1981 is on Larrakia Land at Bullocky Point in Darwin, home to internationally renowned cultural and scientific collections and research and exhibition programs.
MAGNT is a not-for-profit organisation and operates historic Fannie Bay Gaol in Darwin, the Museum of Central Australia incorporating the Strehlow Research Centre in Alice Springs, Megafauna Central and the Alcoota Fossil Bed site north east of Alice Springs. MAGNT also manages the historic Lyons Cottage on Darwin’s Esplanade and the Defence of Darwin Experience at East Point in Darwin.
Shipping Australia is a sponsor of “Container: the box that changed the world”.
