WELLINGTON’S A HOTBED OF CREATIVE CAPITAL
Wellington is a kaleidoscope of incredible arts and culture and now a world-first Marvel Universe exhibition has landed
When it was announced a world-first international exhibition was coming to Wellington, Wetā Workshop’s Danielle Prestidge immediately saw how the capital’s creative community was making its presence felt globally. Marvel: Earth’s Mightiest Exhibition is currently showing at Wellington’s newest asset, Tākina – a sleek, modern conference and exhibition centre in the heart of the city opposite Te Papa.
The Marvel exhibition is a treasure trove of art, costumes, film props, artefacts and interactive experiences from the Marvel Universe that has spawned superheroes and supervillains from the Hulk to Spider-Man, Venom, Ghost Rider and Doctor Strange.
Fans of the Marvel comics also get a chance to see a rare and immensely valuable original copy of the first Marvel comic, which was published in 1939.
And among the huge number of items on display are two costume elements, created for Academy Award-winning Marvel Costume Designer Ruth Carter by Wellington’s own Wētā Workshop, whose talented staff have worked on several Marvel productions including Thor: Love and Thunder; Thor Ragnarok
and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Danielle is Wētā Workshop’s head of business development. She began in the production management team 16 years ago and her time there has coincided with some impressive film-making. Wellington filmed Ghost in the Shell, the Avatar sequels and the comedic horror movie Krampus have all benefited from the Wētā Workshop touch.
Prestidge says it’s a privilege to be able to live and work in such a creative environment and the ability to be part of the global entertainment industry while being based in Wellington is something special.
“It’s the type of city that tends to attract a lot of really talented people and keeps them here,” she says. “The innovation and talent of our local crews are world-class, and that really shows with the incredible quality of work, being produced for the international stage.”
Part of Wētā Workshop’s magic can now be seen by anyone visiting the Marvel Exhibition at Tākina. Prestidge admits it was “pretty cool to see our team’s artistry in there and show a bit of the story of that world we work in”.
“It can be a pretty all-go industry but the pay-off here is such a brilliant one when you see it all come together.”
Exhibition information: Marvel: Earth’s Mightiest Exhibition/ Marvel: Te Whakaaturanga
Mārohirohi o Te Ao runs until April 28 at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre, 50 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington. Tickets start from $17.50 for children, $29.50 for adults, available from Ticketmaster.