Like most people working in the creative industries, occasionally I’ll have one of those days when I’m just not feeling it. I’ll be sitting at my computer and for whatever reason, nothing much happens. Inspiration becomes frustratingly elusive. Motivation begins to slide… When that happens, the best thing you can do is go and do something else. You can’t force it. Leigh, with infinite wisdom as always, suggested we do what any sensible Aucklanders should do on a cold and miserable Monday. We drove up to the top of One Tree Hill for some much needed perspective, and then went to the Auckland Museum to take in their new exhibition Wonderland: The Mystery of the Orchid. The exhibition is the first chapter of a two part series based on two of the world’s best-loved flowers — the orchid and the rose. The first chapter of this exhibit explores the story of the mysterious orchid, a flower family that has ignited mankind’s imagination throughout the ages…
Orchids are the flower of mystery. Found in the world’s most elusive locations, orchids have evolved into some the most striking and devious flowers on the planet. Creating a world of deception and intrigue, they enthral insects to do their bidding, and create “orchid hunters” out of otherwise sensible humans, who risk life and limb to track new species to every corner of the earth. Little wonder they’re described as nature’s tricksters. Flamboyant, heavenly scented, and hauntingly beautiful. They may look like delicate supermodels but can be as tough as old boots. Some outwit insects, deceiving them in ingenious ways, and seem more like creatures than plants. Along with daisies they are the world’s most diverse flower family, with some 22,500 different species growing all over the planet, from steamy jungles to dank swamps. For some people a single encounter with an orchid is all it takes to be smitten forever. What does this fascination with orchids tell us about ourselves?
It’s a nice little exhibition. It won’t blow your mind but it will provide you with some distraction from the real world. The exhibition is split into 2 walks, enter through the Door of Nature or the Door of Art and explore the natural and man-made histories of the orchid. On the nature walk they have smelling stations to smell natural orchids, while the art walk has smelling stations with 3 different fragrances (Tom Ford, Issey Miyake & Narciso Rodriguez) that use the orchid as inspiration. Wonderland: The Mystery of the Orchid is on show now at the Auckland Museum until 12 October, when Wonderland: The Magic of the Rose will open.
