Activity

The Unending Absence

Free audio guide

Open daily 10am–5pm

Imagine the world of migration from an alternative point of view.

This work is a series of sound pieces. They are composed for you to listen to at the Immigration Museum - But you can listen to them anywhere you like.

The voice you hear is that of the script’s author Maria Tumarkin. She is a first-generation immigrant. She speaks with an accent. We wanted a migrant voice to be your guide.

Listen to Maria’s narrative as you walk through the the galleries – you will imagine the world of migration from an alternative point of view.

seated woman
Dr Maria Tumarkin, writer and cultural historian

Included with museum entry

Adult $15

Senior $12

Child 16 Years & Under Free

Concession Free

Members Free

Date & Time

Open daily 10am–5pm

Key information

Free audio guide

PLAYLIST

Simply select the audio files and listen to Maria’s narrative as you walk through the the Immigration Museum – you will imagine the world of migration from an alternative point of view.

The audio files are also available as a YouTube playlist.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

What are the emotional realities of being an immigrant? Not just what happened, when and why, but what it felt like to leave your life behind, to be between two worlds, not to know what lies ahead for you and your family, to feel sad and happy at the same time.

Through this series of audio clips we are speaking to you from inside the immigrant experience. We are taking you deep into the inner world of immigrants as they leave, journey, arrive, wait for their fate to be decided, feel ambushed by memories and reflect on the shape of their lives.

The soundscape is an extended poem, based on extensive research into emotional realities experienced by migrants, who came to Australia from across the world at different times. 

This project is a collaboration between Museums Victoria’s Immigration Museum through Senior Curator Dr Moya McFadzean, writer and cultural historian Maria Tumarkin, and sound artist Thembi Soddell. It is supported by the ARC Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions.

ACCESSIBILITY

Please view our accessibility page for general information. A sensory map of Melbourne Museum can be found on our Visual Stories page where step-by-step visual and written access guides are available. Contact our team on 13 11 02 or email us at [email protected] to discuss how we can support your visit.