One of the most unique walkthrough experiences ever just went up in Auckland’s Aotea Square.
Arboralis Luminarium is a massive, inflatable “labyrinth of light and colour” which the kids can run around in and you can wander wide-eyed while trying not to get lost. Patterns in the plastic walls and ceilings are lit up by the sun outside, making for rooms of colourful and gorgeous light.
Unbelievably, it’s all hand-crafted. UK-based designers Architects Of Air cut the pieces and put them all together in their London workshop before sending them to Aotearoa. There is also a fitting soundscape to the otherwordly maze you walk through.
Architects Of Air say it's “inspired by the beauty of natural geometry and by sacred architecture” with the creators aiming for an “arboreal world of tree-like forms and and abundant leaf motifs.”
Having been in there already, I can tell you that it is really easy to lose your bearings as to where in the maze you are. But that’s okay because every room is a spectacle and there are no dull areas to it.
They say it takes around 20 minutes to see the whole thing but it can easily be shorter or longer than that, depending on how much you want to soak in.
Children’s tickets are $17 and adults are $20. It will be up until April 28th, so that’s enough time to check it out at least once during the school holidays (and tire the kids out from all the wandering they’ll do)!
It's worth a visit if you're looking to try something new and unique. I mean, who wouldn't love to walk through a massive blow-up kaleidoscope?
