Auckland’s city centre landmarks become giant canvases for We The Young festival
Auckland Live is transforming city centre train stations into canvases for creativity, play and imagination this spring, with two large-scale projection experiences as part of its We The Young festival, launching on Friday, 25 September.
The first, Windows of Imagination, sees digital artists Creature Post bring to life 179 artworks created by Auckland tamariki across the southern façade of Te Waihorotiu Station. The second, POPS Pinball, turns the façade of Te Waitematā Station into an interactive pinball game for visitors at Te Komititanga.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Director of Auckland Live, Daniel Clarke says these large-scale projections build Auckland’s reputation as a city that celebrates creativity and innovation.
“I’m excited that thousands of people visiting the city centre will be able to discover these joyful and surprising artworks – they champion playfulness and celebrate the creativity of our Tamariki. They are a wonderful addition to the We The Young festival ensuring more people can experience highly original artworks for free, using the city as a canvas.”
The drawings featured in Windows of Imagination were created in 2018 as part of the City Rail Link project. Auckland children were asked to draw where in the universe they would travel, real or imagined, if the City Rail Link tunnels were magical and could take them anywhere.
More than 3000 artworks were produced as part of the project. Those ideas and imaginations now form part of Te Waihorotiu Station after being incorporated as permanent artworks on an interior station wall.
Auckland Transport CEO Stacey van der Putten says, “We are incredibly proud that the creativity and imagination of Auckland tamariki and communities have a permanent place inside Te Waihorotiu Station. Seeing their art also brought to life across the station façade is a special way to celebrate We The Young festival while sharing it with thousands of people travelling through the city centre.”
With Windows of Imagination, 179 of the original drawings will be projected at architectural scale, transforming the station façade into a series of illuminated apartment windows, offering glimpses into imaginative city homes where children’s artworks hang proudly on the walls.
Audiences can explore the animated scenes and discover hidden details throughout the projection, including 20 trains, three pets, a pair of poi, an erupting volcano, a lighthouse, giraffe, anime cat, kōtare (kingfisher bird) and even a quirky hamburger.
At Te Waitematā Station, POPS Pinball turns Te Komititanga and the façade of Te Waitematā Station into a giant interactive pinball game.
Inspired by the bold colours and emotional characters of Vesica Aotearoa’s POPS! installation featured in Aotea Square as part of We The Young festival, the experience extends the world of POPS! beyond its original home.
The architecture of Te Waitematā Station becomes part of the game itself, with arches, columns and the pediment reimagined as bumpers and flippers. Visitors can step into a central gaming booth and interact with the projection in real time, with up to four players able to play at once.
Designed to be fun and accessible to all ages and abilities, POPS Pinball invites visitors to play together and creates a spectator experience for those watching from across Te Komititanga.
Windows of Imagination runs every evening from 7:30pm until midnight, from Friday, 25 September to Sunday, 25 October, on the southern façade of Te Waihorotiu Station.
POPS Pinball runs every evening from 7:30pm until 11pm, from Friday, 25 September to Saturday, 17 October at Te Komititanga and on the façade of Te Waitematā Station.
Both experiences are free and suitable for all ages, and proudly supported by Auckland Transport, Auckland Council’s Auckland Urban Development Office and Auckland Council Events.
More information about the festival can be found at: Auckland Live | We The Young
