1072 days ago

Weird, wonderful and repurposed – Quixotic Aquatic opens soon at Taupō Museum

Darren Petry from Taupō District Council

Hot on the heels of the popular Taupō Museum exhibitions Re-Cycled, Dog Show, CATalogue and Re-Tweet comes the latest offering: Quixotic Aquatic.

Quixotic Aquatic, the fifth of Taupō Museum's reduce, re-use, recycle, re-create exhibitions invited participants to create artworks and sculptures of creatures, real or imagined, with an aquatic theme.

Arists and creators were encouraged to imagine an underwater world of fun, weird and wonderfulness using materials that would and should not be found in our oceans, lakes and rivers. The aim was to create something imaginative and fanciful while also reminding the viewer of the importance of keeping our waterways litter free.

The recycled, repurposed exhibitions have become an annual event in the calendar of a number of Taupō creatives who range from hobby and professional artists, children and first-timers inspired by previous exhibitions.

Taupō Museum exhibitions officer Kerence Stephen says the visitor feedback on the annual reduce, re-use, recycle and recreate exhibitions is always positive, with many of the artworks creating laughter and fascination.

Quixotic Aquatic follows Re-Cycle (2017), an exhibition of artworks created using bicycle parts, held to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge. In 2018 came Dog Show, featuring dogs created from re-cycled materials along with a gallery set up especially for dogs, with low-hung images of dogs’ favourite things likes sticks and bones, and a photo booth for dogs. About 70 dogs visited the exhibition and Dog Show won the Museums Aotearoa Service IQ 2018 award for the most innovative public programme.

CATalogue followed in 2019 with a gallery full of cat sculptures created by the local community and in 2020, flying in on the tail of the Covid lockdown, came ReTweet where birds of recycled feathers flocked together.

The Quixotic Aquatic exhibition is being held in the museum’s main gallery from December 11 to February 7. Entry is free for Taupō District residents with proof of address and the museum is open 10am-4.30pm daily.

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More messages from your neighbours
2 days ago

Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.

Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.

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Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
  • 64% Yes
    64% Complete
  • 33.7% No
    33.7% Complete
  • 2.3% Other - I'll share below
    2.3% Complete
1929 votes
21 hours ago

Become an SPCA Foster Hero!

The Team from SPCA Taupo - Centre & Op Shops

Kitten season has arrived, and over the next six months, over 8,000 cats and kittens will come into SPCA’s care. Please help us give these babies the best start in life and sign up to be a foster parent today! It's not just cats and kittens - we are also urgently seeking foster homes for dogs and small animals.

Fostering saves lives and helps these tiny babies grow into healthy, well-adjusted adults, ready for adoption. We cover all training and costs. All you need is time and love to spare!

Sign up today and save a life!

22 hours ago

Have you picked up your tickets to our 80th anniversary party yet?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours, here is the cover of our amazing 80th anniversary special edition! There's just enough time to book your ticket to join editor Jo McCarroll at Hamilton Gardens on November 11. Ticketholders will get this special (RRP $16.20) in their goody bags. Each goody bag is also packed with gardening paraphernalia and a brand new Jack Hobbs-bred Hebe 'The Gardener' plant, released to mark this amazing milestone. Plus you'll also get all-day entry to the Enclosed Gardens, canapes and bubbles
, and spot prizes. We'd love to see you there.

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