Roberta Aguirre
Wellington International Airport, located in the suburb of Rongotai in Wellington, New Zealand, is well-known for its extensive display of Lord of the Rings-themed sculptures. In 2003, a sculpture of Gollum was installed outside the terminal to promote the world premiere of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. This sculpture was removed in 2004 but returned in 2012 to celebrate the release of the first Hobbit film. The 13-metre-long sculpture, designed by Weta Workshop, depicts Gollum diving for fish and is suspended from the roof inside the terminal. In addition to the Gollum sculpture, the airport also features a statue of Gandalf riding a great eagle and a dragon named Smaug the Magnificent. While it is unclear if the Gollum sculpture is still on display, a spokesperson for the airport stated that the sculptures were well-loved and that they had no plans to remove them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Installation | To celebrate the forthcoming release of the first The Hobbit film |
| Height | 13m (43ft) |
| Weight | 1.2 tonnes |
| Material | Polystyrene and epoxy resin |
| Artist | Masayuki Ohashi |
| Location | Wellington Airport, New Zealand |
| Year | 2012 |
| Status | Removed in 2016 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The sculpture was designed by Weta Workshop
Richard Taylor, the founder of Weta Workshop, described Wellington Airport as "the home of Gollum" due to the significant filming presence of the "Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" films at the airport. The sculpture was designed to celebrate the release of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" and honour New Zealand's involvement in the film's production.
The design process for the sculpture was led by Richard Taylor and Weta Workshop supervisor Rob Gillies. They aimed to create an unforgettable experience for travellers passing through Wellington Airport. The final design depicts Gollum, a character from J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" novels, diving for fish.
The sculpture is suspended from the ceiling of the airport's main lounge, with Gollum reaching for four sculpted "juicy sweet fishes" that are hanging in front of him. The entire installation consists of nine separate components, including Gollum's head and outstretched arm, which measure about 42 feet in length and weigh over 2,500 pounds. The three fish that Gollum is trying to catch are each about 12 feet long and were modelled on sculptures in Richard Taylor's bathroom.
Dublin Airport: Stay Connected with Reliable Wifi Access
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It was built by Japanese artist Masayuki Ohashi
It is unclear if Gollum is still at Wellington Airport. However, it is known that a 13-metre-long sculpture of the character was installed in 2012 to celebrate the forthcoming release of Peter Jackson's first film in The Hobbit trilogy, which was mostly filmed in New Zealand. The sculpture, which depicts Gollum diving for fish, was built by Japanese artist Masayuki Ohashi.
Ohashi is a fine art sculptor who used chainsaws and robotics to bring Weta Workshop's design to life. Weta Workshop is a Wellington-based special-effects company that won three Oscars for its work on The Lord of the Rings. Ohashi has described the project as "very exciting".
The sculpture is made out of polystyrene and epoxy resin. It is suspended from the roof of the '"Middle of Middle-earth" terminal', which was the temporary name given to the terminal to mark the release of the film. The terminal's name is a reference to the fictional setting of J.R.R. Tolkien's works.
The sculpture was installed in the airport's main lounge, appearing to reach out of the terminal wall to catch three oversized fish. The fish are four metres long and are suspended in front of the Gollum sculpture, complete with bubbles.
Philadelphia Airport Surroundings: Safe or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Gollum sculpture was installed to celebrate the forthcoming release of the first Hobbit film
The 13-metre-long Gollum sculpture was installed at Wellington Airport to celebrate the forthcoming release of Peter Jackson's first film in The Hobbit trilogy, *An Unexpected Journey*. The sculpture, which depicts Gollum diving for fish, was unveiled in October 2012, ahead of the film's release in cinemas the following month.
The sculpture was designed by Weta Workshop, the Wellington-based special-effects outfit that won three Oscars for its work on *The Lord of the Rings*. It was built by Japanese artist Masayuki Ohashi out of polystyrene and epoxy resin using chainsaws and robotics. The Gollum installation consists of nine separate components created by 18 sculptors, model makers, painters, and other artists. The portion consisting of his head and outstretched arm measures about 42 feet and weighs over 2,500 pounds; each of the three fish he reaches for is about 12 feet long.
The airport's terminal was temporarily renamed 'The Middle of Middle-earth' in recognition of the fictional setting of J.R.R. Tolkien's works. Steve Sanderson, Chief Executive of Wellington Airport, said:
> "As the first and last impression of our region, the airport is proud to work with Weta (the company behind the creation of the sculpture) and have this magnificent sculpture on display for all to see."
Richard Taylor, the co-founder and creative director of Weta Workshop, added: "Wellington airport feels like the home of Gollum after spending so many months here during the last three films."
It is unclear whether the sculpture is still in place at Wellington Airport. While one source from 2021 states that the airport "has no plans to remove" its Lord of the Rings sculptures, another source from 2019 suggests that the Gollum sculpture was taken down after an earthquake.
Boone, NC: Airport Accessibility and Travel Options
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The sculpture was made from polystyrene and epoxy resin
The sculpture of Gollum, the iconic character from J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved fantasy novels, was crafted from polystyrene and epoxy resin. This unusual combination of materials was chosen by Japanese artist Masayuki Ohashi, who designed and built the sculpture. Ohashi utilised chainsaws and robotics to shape the polystyrene and epoxy resin into the form of Gollum, a creature that has captivated audiences worldwide through its portrayal in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film franchises.
Polystyrene, a versatile plastic known for its lightweight and rigid properties, provided an ideal medium for sculpting Gollum's intricate form. With a density lower than that of water, polystyrene is buoyant, making it perfect for suspending the sculpture from the ceiling of the airport terminal. Epoxy resin, on the other hand, is a strong adhesive commonly used in construction and known for its ability to form robust bonds with various materials, including polystyrene.
The combination of these two materials allowed Ohashi to create a lightweight yet sturdy sculpture. The epoxy resin ensured that the individual pieces of polystyrene were securely bonded together, resulting in a cohesive and durable structure. This innovative use of materials showcases the artist's creativity and expertise in working with unconventional media.
The Gollum sculpture, measuring an impressive 13 metres (43 feet) in length, was installed at the Wellington Airport in New Zealand. Suspended from the ceiling, it depicts Gollum diving for four 4-metre-long fish, a scene reminiscent of his appearance in The Hobbit. The sculpture was designed by Weta Workshop, a Wellington-based special effects company renowned for their work on The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.
While it is unclear how long the sculpture remained at the airport, it seems to have been removed at some point. A Reddit post from 2019 mentions that the Gollum sculpture was taken down after an earthquake. Despite its absence, the Gollum sculpture undoubtedly left a lasting impression on visitors to Wellington Airport, showcasing the creative fusion of polystyrene and epoxy resin to bring a fictional character to life.
Thanksgiving Travel Rush: Airports in Focus
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$40.89
The sculpture was removed after an earthquake
The 13-metre-long Gollum sculpture at Wellington Airport was removed after an earthquake. The sculpture, which depicted Gollum diving for a fish, was installed to celebrate the forthcoming release of Peter Jackson's first "Hobbit" film, which was mostly filmed in New Zealand. The sculpture was suspended from the roof of the airport terminal, which was temporarily renamed the "Middle of Middle-earth".
Wellington experiences a lot of earthquakes. In 2013, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake caused one of the two giant eagles in the airport's Great Eagle and Gandalf display to fall from its hanging. Fortunately, no one was hurt, and the display has since been firmly secured.
The Gollum sculpture was removed sometime before 2019. It is unclear if its removal was directly related to an earthquake, but it is possible, given Wellington's seismic activity. The sculpture may have been taken down as a safety precaution or due to damage sustained during a seismic event.
The airport has a collection of Lord of the Rings-themed artworks, including a six-metre-high sculpture of Gollum's head, hands, and the One Ring, which was installed on top of the terminal in 2003. The airport is committed to its LOTR connection and has stated that the sculptures are well-loved by visitors and are not going anywhere.
Ithaca Airport: Does It Exist?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, the 13-metre-long Gollum sculpture was removed from the Wellington Airport terminal in 2004, but it was reinstalled inside the terminal in 2012 to mark the world premiere of the first Hobbit movie. It was taken down again four years later.
The sculpture was installed to celebrate the forthcoming release of the first Hobbit film, which was mostly filmed in New Zealand.
The sculpture was designed by Weta Workshop, the Wellington-based special-effects outfit that won three Oscars for its work on The Lord of the Rings.
