I for one will be making a visit to the V&A at some point - but I am interested to know peoples views on the hoohaa over the exhibition being placed at the V&A. Do you think the critics are right to argue that it's the wrong venue and should remain a bastion of high culture?

I don't understand the thrill of seeing Kylie's costumes but I do think it is a good place to hold the exhibition. Good way of getting the general public (who care about such things as Kylie and her sexy bottom fashion) into the V & A.

Personally, I don't care (sorry). Now, if they were exibiting Kylie IN her hotpants then I'm sure that would guarantee a queue of interest from the local gents though

I think it is completely the wrong venue. I love V&A but what's next in order to bring people to the museum? Museum is part of my PhD topic, that's why I sound this boring about it

No 404 I don't think you sound boring at all ~ I'd like to know more of your views on this.
I think it is a really interesting debate about 'the place' of popular culture in our society vs high brow culture.
So many people are about the exhbition being in the V&A, yet there was a Che exhibtion there not that long ago I seem to remember & that got a from the general public. I know the Che gig was extremely popular but I suspect thee Kylie exhibition will be a sell out & lets face it, has given the V&A more press than they've had in years.

I think you gave a very interesting example Pea. I didn't have any problem with the Che exhibition as he was a revolution idol. Kylie for me is miles away from Che. But this can be discussed of course.

Che Guevara was a man of revolutionary politics yes, but the exhibition was not just a celebration or exploration of left wing Marxist ideology, but a celebration of his capacity as a cultural icon (as is the Kylie one). I am guessing, but I suspect that not all of those people that visited the Che one care too deeply about socialism or its legacy. Che has also been celebrated as a figure of popular culture ( in the folk sense of the word), and in the representation and mediation of his image, within media culture i.e Motorcyle diaries, the iconic ‘Korda’ photo of him on posters, club flyers and T-shirts all over the world. I brought him into the discussion because he has come to signify a ‘pop’ version of a peoples’ hero, the handsome face of revolution, political subversion etc

Kylie is a media personality who represents multiple aspects of mainstream culture/ ideology for the masses, such as the music industry, camp, anglo-austrainlian relations, the significance of soap stardom in our culture, and audiences identify with her as a pop princess, fashionista, gay icon, girl next door made good - whatever. One could argue that the exhibit represents these aspects of our national identity and popular culture, which are just as valid as high-brow notions such as some of the ones Che represents, and Kylie democratizes a place like the V&A making it accessible for the masses.

I can't disagree on that one pea. But I am still disappointed with the result. I don't know how people reacted to the exhibition, when it was displayed in Melbourne. But it was obvious that an exhibition like this would shock the critics in here. Isn't that the idea in the first place? It's almost saying "let's fill the museums with fun things, gatgets or pop idols' costumes, so people will come to see it".

Yup I guess so, but that prompts the question for me "what is the role of museums?", or perhaps "who are they for?" which is why I'd be interested in your view on this.

The role (at least the concept of the role) of museums are constantly changing. As there isn't enough money, museums have to find other ways to bring the public in. This includes entertainment. I think the museum should be about the collection and how the collection can be made accessible for all. But these days it is about engagement. I am working with new technologies, to create access for everyone to the existing collection, but my work gets interest because it is using new technologies. I find that upsetting. I don't wish to offer another gadget for the museum but the museums are more interested in the engagement value then its use.

I typed and sent that reply too quickly. I hope it makes sense

Nevermind in a museum, I always thought Kylie's hotpants would look good on my bedroom floor !

Kylie is too trash. If you want an Australian beauty, go for Cate Blanchett. Now, there is a woman who can leave her hotpants on my bedroom floor!

Although I wouldn't want her hotpants on my floor, I agree Cate Blanchett is really nice, and very elegant.