Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00408:front:0:p51
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00408
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 140982–143789

is located near the main entry on the ground level. The lower floor also contains a theatre, staff offices, collection and records storage, and plant.

    The Dioramas

   The Memorial prides itself on its collection of dioramas, which have been an important feature of its exhibition galleries since its opening in 1941. Dioramas, or 'picture models' as they were first called, were suggested to CEW Bean by the official war artist Will Dyson as a suitable method for presenting the subject of war at the planned Australian War Museum (as the AWM was then to be called).5 Three sculptors and an artist were commissioned as early as 1918 to begin work on the project, which took more than 10 years to complete. It is evident that Bean saw the dioramas as integral to the purpose and function of the planned war museum.6 While the AWM's later dioramas are generally considered less artistically successful than its outstanding First World War collection (with the probable exception of the Kapyong diorama in the Conflicts 1945 to Today Galleries), the creation and display of dioramas is still a well-known feature of the AWM today.

  Figure 3.29 The Lone Pine diorama in the First World War Gallery.

  Figure 3.30 The Somme diorama in the First World War Gallery.

  Figure 3.31 The Mont St Quentin diorama located within the First World War Gallery.

  Figure 3.32 The Semakh Diorama with new commissioned background painting.

  Figure 3.33 The exterior of ANZAC Hall, located behind the main Memorial building, excavated into the rising site.

  Figure 3.34 The viewing balcony in ANZAC Hall.

  Figure 3.35 Large items displayed in ANZAC Hall, with a bench and interpretation material.

  Figure 3.36 The G for George Lancaster bomber on display in ANZAC Hall.

  The dioramas, constructed between 1918 and 1983, are made from traditional materials of hessian, plaster, timber and lead.7 The dioramas are generally robustly constructed and, as the First World War dioramas were constructed prior to the completion of the main Memorial building, they were designed to be movable. The dioramas' curved backgrounds, some of which measure 16 by 8 metres, are more fragile than the model bases. Three types of background construction are used in the dioramas: terracotta brickwork, timber framing and fibreglass. The earliest form of terracotta brickwork has since been replaced with a fibrous plaster skin which expands and contracts without cracking.8 Restored and new dioramas have been created on virtual backgrounds, which allows for changes according to the time of day. The majority of dioramas on display at the AWM are located in the First World War and the Second World War Galleries. Redevelopment of the First World War Gallery included the restoration and reinstatement of a number