SHARE YOUR TOYS!

We do love a wee bit of fun and nonsense here at Small City and what better way to let your inner child out than to dig around in the attic amongst your old toys and games?  Better than that, you can dress it all up as ‘cultural advancement’ and tell everyone you’re assisting Perth Museum and Art Gallery curate their upcoming exhibition.

The museum has not one but two fabulous sounding exhibitions planned for this summer and they are shaping up to be highlights of 'Things to Do With Kids In Perth During The Summer Holidays'. 

PLAYER will run from 7 Jul – 18 Sept 2016 and will explore the evolution of player interaction with videogames and charts the journey from retro games such as Super Mario, Space Invaders, Sega Rally and PacMan, to the latest innovations in current game design and technology.

FUN & GAMES will run from 28 June – 22 August 2016 and will bring together everything from rarely-seen examples of historic board games such as the Pope Joan game, to instantly-recognisable classics which are still popular today.

A wee aside...  Children of the seventies… Do you remember how dos we thought we were with our Ataris – two sticks and a ball!? And that four room Sindy house that was basically two bits of cardboard? 

As you might expect, the team at George Street were only too happy to delve into the museum’s toybox and they’ve already pulled out a fabulous range of well-loved toys and old games from the collection in a bid to create an exhibition that will bring generations of toy lovers together. Each and every game, toy and object on show has been chosen to inspire curiosity and to stir up the happy, nostalgic memories of childhood. 

This is where they need YOU! Perth museum is offering all of us an opportunity to share our own cherished toys and the gorgeous stories that are sure to go along with them.  They have an empty community display case sitting waiting and are asking all of us to help to fill it! 

Here’s what you need to do: have a rummage around in the attic, shed, basement, your mum’s spare room and under your granny's bed.  

They are delighted to look at featuring any old toys but in particular they are looking for toys such as Lego, Meccano and Playmobil models, fashion dolls such as Kewpie, Barbie and Sindy, action figures - including Action Man - and any accessories, board games and cuddly toys.  There is also wall space for larger objects such as railway sets, bikes, pogo sticks, skateboards and roller skates which can be mounted throughout the gallery! 

The PLAYER exhibition will also feature display areas which will not be handled by the public and for this the Museum are looking for:

• NES Zapper
• Power Pad for NES
• Dance Dance Revolution Dancing Mat for PS1/PS2
• Logitech Steering Wheels for PS1/PS2/N64
• Guitar Hero controller
• Intellivision controller
• NES controller (original not USB)
• Game Boy (original)
• Game Boy Advance
• Amiga CD controller
• Sega Saturn 3D Controller

As well as taking a trip down memory lane, there will be an opportunity to experience the thrill of the early games and  the chance to challenge your friends and family on a variety of consoles. For this, the following items are also on the list!

• NES with controller + Zapper + Super Mario Brothers
• Nintendo Virtual Boy
• Sega Rally & Sega Saturn Arcade Racer wheel
• Nintendo Gamecube + Gamecube Controller + Donkey Kong DK Bongos
• Sega Dreamcast + Sega Dreamcast controller + Samba de Amigos original controller plus mat
• Sega Dreamcast + Sega Fishing Rod + Game
• Sony Playstation 2 + PS2 controller + Sony Eye Toy + Eye Toy: Play

If you strike gold during your rummaging or if you’re one of those amazing people who predicated the geek revolution and have boxes of pristine built original Star Wars Lego and box fresh ataris then get yourselves down to the Museum on Saturday 4th June between 10am and 2pm to the drop-off day where you can meet the curatorial staff and hand over your loan for display. 

All loans will be cared for and stored in the museum so they will be safe and secure.  Items will be returned after the exhibition closes.  Just a wee note so your feelings don’t get hurt - the museum may have to turn down some toys and games due to lack of space, or similar items already chosen.

***

PLAYER – The Evolution of Video Games
7 Jul – 18 Sept 2016. Admission £3, Concessions £2.

FUN & GAMES
28 June – 22 August 2016. FREE

Both at Perth Museum & Art Gallery

Anyone donating or loaning items will be entitled to a free entry pass for PLAYER for two people, valid for the duration of the exhibition

If you are unable to make the open day on 4 June but still want to loan any beloved toys or games to the museum for either exhibition please contact lkdowie@culturepk.org.uk or call 01738 83414.