AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DWARF – New Zealand’s biggest airport, Auckland International Airport, has unveiled The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey inspired dwarf sculptures. The installation was designed by Weta concept designers Chris Guise and Rebekah Tisch, and incorporates two 16ft (5m) tall dwarf sculptures and four 20ft x 9ft (6.5m x 3m) archways in typical dwarven architectural design.
The Tourism New Zealand installation is a 23m (75.5ft) lenticular display blending the fantasy of Middle-earth with the reality of New Zealand. It welcomes visitors “to a place where fantasy comes to life” and encourages them to share their Middle-earth experiences through social media channels at #realmiddleearth.
Chief Executive Kevin Bowler says the display aims to inspire travelers to take in more of New Zealand’s magical landscapes and activities, and to discover that there is a whole world of experiences to be had and people to meet within the movie-scene style landscapes.
Weta Workshop Concept Designer Paul Tobin says: “Typically our designs are focused to the moments of the journey that are touched upon by the script. With 100% Middle-earth we had the pleasure of venturing off the script and capturing aspects of Middle-earth inspired by New Zealand’s beauty and moments that may be happening off camera.”
The Weta Workshop sculptures have been partly milled from a 3D computer design, partly hand sculpted from huge blocks of polystyrene. These were then coated in polyurethane to achieve durability and a perfect finish for the final painting and dressing. Both installations will be on display until March next year.
PLOT: A curious Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, journeys to the Lonely Mountain with a vigorous group of Dwarves to reclaim a treasure stolen from them by the dragon Smaug.
RELEASE DATES:
- US, Canada & UK – December 14
- Germany – December 13
- Australia – December 26
SOURCE: Weta
Check out the giant Gollum Weta installed at the Wellington Airport: HERE
Check out the giant plywood silhouette of Bilbo Baggins and the Dwarves Weta installed at the NZ Post House: HERE
Check out the pictures below:
