Sian Torrington on the Topp Twins exhibition

This podcast features an interview with Sian Torrington, curator of the Topp Twins exhibition held at Te Manawa Museum in Palmerston North from May to October 2017. The interview conducted by Gareth Watkins, provides insights into the significance of the Topp Twins—famed New Zealand entertainers—and the process of curating an exhibition about their lives and careers, spanning the 1980s to the 2010s.

The Topp Twins are highlighted as important figures for a multitude of reasons, including their ability to connect with diverse audiences, their unique mix of humor and thought-provoking content, and their representation across multiple community identities. The exhibition built upon a smaller showcase from 2012, and Torrington was tasked with curating it due to their expertise in homosexual law reform, activism, and community engagement.

To create the exhibition, Torrington engaged deeply with archive materials, including posters, set lists, flyers, fan mail, and extensive footage, sourced from the collection that the Topp Twins and their management had deposited at the Alexander Turnbull Library. Through these materials, the curator sought to weave together stories of the Topp Twins' public and private lives, their activism, and careers.

One particular thread that captivated Torrington was the Topp Twins' beginnings as street performers in Auckland, their fearlessness both in performance and in the topics they tackled, such as LGBTI inclusion and gender equality—which resonated with the social backdrop of 1980s New Zealand. The twins' ability to engage with various groups, from radical queers to farmers, is particularly noted, reflecting their broad appeal and effectiveness in confronting social issues.

The exhibition delved into various themes, starting with the Topp Twins' early life and tracing their journey through various activist movements essential in New Zealand during the 1980s—including the anti-nuclear protests, the Bastion Point occupation, and the Springbok rugby tour protests. The display also included an interactive segment, "Becoming the Characters," allowing visitors to dress up and engage in performances, mirroring the Topp Twins’ playful and creative approach to entertainment and activism.

Torrington's commitment to authentically representing the Topp Twins' identities, especially their working-class, butch persona, was crucial in curating the exhibition, countering any attempts to soften this image for mainstream acceptance. The Topp Twins’ sense of social justice and activism was rooted in fairness, kindness, and the values imparted by their upbringing, which the exhibit aimed to capture.

Despite initial concerns regarding living figures evaluating their portrayals, the twins placed their trust in the curatorial team. The outcome was an exhibition that incited laughter, reflection, and participation, resonating with audiences, and generating discussions on social history and activism, with space to contribute to ongoing narratives through mini placards in the activism section.

Looking ahead, Torrington expressed hopes for the exhibition to tour and for the content to expand onto online platforms—potentially through podcasts featuring extended interviews with the Topp Twins on contemporary topics. In terms of personal undertakings, Torrington plans to derive work from their previous project "We Don't Have To Be The Building" and to explore further the archiving and sharing of queer stories across generations, alongside pursuing more curatorial and artistic projects.

This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.

Sian Torrington

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