An exhibition exploring the allure of modern living in Adelaide through the 1950s and 1960s has opened at the State Library of South Australia (SLSA).
Unveiling the exhibition, Lust for lifestyle: Modern Adelaide Homes 1950-1965, Director of the SLSA, Geoff Strempel said it harnessed the Library’s collection of photographs, drawings, plans and newspaper and magazine articles to show how individuals glimpsed the limitations of their old Adelaide homes and began to redefine themselves through shifts in everyday living and consumer practices.
“It was not simply a change in an aesthetic, but a drive for lifestyle,” Mr Strempel said.
“A booming economy and emerging consumer culture led to a desire for enjoyment and a celebration of the pleasures of ‘everyday life’,” he said.
“A new generation of socially mobile individuals sought to define themselves through modern architecture.”
Mr Strempel said the exhibition, curated by Lecturer at the School of Architecture and Built Environment at the University of Adelaide, James Curry and the SLSA, delved into the relationship between the owners and their homes.
He said the exhibition featured video interviews with people who lived and worked in the remarkable buildings, giving them a personal perspective.
“Sharing these stories provides an important glimpse into our State’s social history,” Mr Strempel said.
He said the public program of events included walking and garden tours as well as floor talks from designers, gardeners and academics.
The exhibition is open until Sunday 5 June and entry is free. Further information can be accessed at this PS News link.
