The caravan as a museum of leisure, memory and self - ABC Local

Close to 40 vintage caravans from all corners of the country - in fact from as far afield as the Pilbara, Cairns and Tasmania - are converging on Canberra in October for the Museum of the Long Weekend.

Many of the vans have had to be restored and all have been fitted with museum-like installations produced by artists collaborating with the owners of the vans.

Some have been fitted with more personal and creative installations, as has been the case with one van called 'the fossicker', produced by artist Beth Sometimes with some practical assistance from Wynyard local, Chris Symonds.

Sometimes, a NZ-based artist, is also the creative producer for Museum of the Long Weekend. She said she would insist on one person at a time entering her van which will feature an over-sized Banana Split.

"The artwork I'm making in here is called finding the real you... I'm only going to allow one person at a time in here and they will have to go on their own little journey with it," she says.

Two vans were prepared in Wynyard and another at Woodbridge in the Channel area. Chris Symonds, who has the rare Kennedy's Disease, worked on both Wynyard vans with help from some kids from Wynyard High School.

"Museum of the Long Weekend has linked up an eclectic bunch of people and created a curious and creative space in which to look at ourselves and the way we holiday," Beth says.

"In Canberra we will basically circle the wagons on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin and people will be able to come and wander amongst and through them."

Big hArt director Scott Rankin says museums, monuments and heritage tend to celebrate our achievements, productivity and contribution but that: "...quality of life is often experienced in our least productive moments, in the laughter of a toddler, floating on our back, in reflection on failure, in times of relaxation."

Museum of the Long Weekend is part of Canberra's SPIN program and includes evening events with story-telling, music, films, food, dancing and karaoke, all in a 'campground' setting.