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Blue Jeans and Jungle Greens: Revisiting the Sixties and Seventies

19 February 2008 – 21 August 2009

There was more to the sixties and seventies than sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. It was a time of great political and social turmoil, generational division and intense personal passion and commitment.

The complexity of this time is explored in the History Trust of South Australia’s latest exhibition: Blue Jeans and Jungle Greens: revisiting the 60s and 70s. This exhibition examines both the conflict in Vietnam, including the part played by South Australians in the war, and the anti-war campaign on the home front. You will encounter familiar streetscapes, events, people and objects. The exhibition features a specially commissioned short film focusing on the impact of the sixties and seventies on the lives of those who were there, as well as iconic objects from personal collections including those famous pink shorts worn by Don Dunstan.

This is the first exhibition in Australia to bring together the memories of those who went to war and those who opposed it on the streets. For some, the period was defined by the experience of the year long ‘tour of duty’ in Vietnam; for others it was the exhilaration of activism in the Moratorium Movement, or causes such as women’s liberation, gay rights or Aboriginal rights. The exhibition draws on the stories – and the photo albums – of South Australians. Their stories serve as a reminder that the past was not simpler than the present; that differing points of view cannot always be reconciled; that time does not heal all wounds – and of the power of the past in people’s lives, every day.

The History Trust’s Chief Executive, Margaret Anderson, said “This is a very timely exhibition. The period of the Vietnam War was one of the most turbulent in our history, but also one of the most important for our society today. The legacies of the sixties and seventies are all around us– in our political ideals, our social attitudes and in our diverse communities. It is time to revisit them.”

Come and encounter the conflict and passion, music and fashion, of an era that changed the world. The times may have changed but many of the issues still resonate with the contemporary political landscape. Some lessons were learned and some lessons were lost, but there is no doubt that an indelible mark was left on South Australia’s history.

Where: History Trust Exhibition Gallery: Torrens Parade Ground, Victoria Drive, Adelaide 5000

When: 9.30am – 4.00pm Weekdays (closed weekends and public holidays)special Fringe Festival season: 22 February –16 March 2008. Check Fringe guide for details.

For further information about the exhibition contact Kate Walsh or Mandy Paul, Community History Unit, History Trust of SA on telephone: 08 8203 9888 or email staff@history.sa.gov.au

Fringe 2008

Fringe Festival season: 22 February –16 March 2008. Check Fringe guide for details.