Price tag for opening of Parramatta Powerhouse edges towards $50 million
A British stage designer associated with U2's Las Vegas concerts is set to build a multimillion-dollar 'mirror maze' at the new Parramatta Powerhouse as the controversial cost of the museum's opening shows and program hits around $50 million.
Esmeralda Devlin's art installation Forest of Us is to connect 'the organic geometry of trees, from roots to branches, with the very vital organ, the lungs', according to its pitch to private supporters.
The project is one of five major exhibitions under development for western Sydney's first landmark cultural institution, which opens late next year.
Together, the museum's first exhibitions are forecast to cost $50 million. It needs to raise $10 million in private donations, this masthead can reveal.
A closed tender for the construction and framing of Devlin's work is now open for bidding with specialised suppliers.
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Powerhouse Parramatta will have no permanent collection display when it opens, its vast collection – numbering 500,000 objects dating back to the steam age – relocated to a new facility in Castle Hill.
Exhibits at Parramatta are to change every six to 24 months to drive repeat visitation and attract 2 million visitors from NSW, Australia and overseas.
The Devlin show points to an opening program big on digital screens and immersive experiences, as the Minns government aims to bring prestige exhibitions to the institution's gala opening.

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