Roberta Aguirre
Wellington Airport in New Zealand is home to a 13-metre-long sculpture of Gollum, the iconic character from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. The sculpture, designed by Weta Workshop, was installed in the airport's ''Middle of Middle-earth' terminal to celebrate the release of Peter Jackson's The Hobbit film series. It depicts Gollum diving for three 4-metre-long fish, complete with bubbles coming out of his mouth, and visitors can walk under and around the sculpture to admire its intricate details.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Wellington Airport, New Zealand |
| Artist | Masayuki Ohashi |
| Designer | Weta Workshop |
| Height | 3m |
| Length | 13m |
| Weight | 1.2 tonnes |
| Material | Polystyrene and epoxy resin |
| Construction tools | Chainsaws and robotics |
| Year installed | 2012 |
| Inspiration | Gollum, a character from The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings |
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What You'll Learn
The Gollum sculpture was designed by Weta Workshop
Wellington Airport in New Zealand is renowned for its Middle-earth-themed sculptures, celebrating the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films. One such sculpture is the 13-metre-long Gollum, which was unveiled in 2012 to mark the release of the first Hobbit film. This sculpture was designed by Weta Workshop, the Wellington-based special-effects company that won three Oscars for its work on The Lord of the Rings.
Weta Workshop has been intrinsically involved in the design and physical effects of all three Lord of the Rings films, as well as the Hobbit trilogy. The company's co-founder and creative director, Richard Taylor, expressed that the airport feels like "the home of Gollum" after spending so much time there during the filming of the movies.
The Gollum sculpture at the airport was crafted by Japanese artist Masayuki Ohashi, using polystyrene and epoxy resin. It depicts Gollum diving for a 4-metre fish and is positioned so that visitors can walk under and around it, exploring the intricate details of the sculpture.
Weta Workshop has also created a range of Gollum statues for collectors, known as the Masters Collection. These statues showcase the pinnacle of Weta Workshop's craftsmanship, with an extraordinary attention to detail. The Gollum statue was unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con in 2017 and is a 1:3 scale representation of the character. It features hand-placed natural hair, translucent skin, and clothing made from real leather.
In addition to the Gollum sculpture, Weta Workshop has contributed other Middle-earth-themed sculptures to Wellington Airport, including two giant eagles, one with Gandalf on its back, and a dragon named Smaug the Magnificent.
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It was unveiled to celebrate the release of 'The Hobbit'
Wellington Airport in New Zealand has a special connection to Gollum, the miserable creature at the centre of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. In 2012, to celebrate the release of Peter Jackson's first Hobbit film, An Unexpected Journey, a 13-metre-long sculpture of Gollum was unveiled in the airport's terminal. The sculpture, designed by Weta Workshop, depicts Gollum diving for three 4-metre-long fish suspended in front of him, complete with bubbles. It was built by Japanese artist Masayuki Ohashi using polystyrene and epoxy resin, chainsaws, and robotics.
The sculpture was not the airport's first brush with the beloved character. In 2003, a 6-metre-high sculpture of Gollum's head, hands, and the One Ring was installed on top of the airport terminal. It was removed in 2004 but returned in 2012, this time inside the terminal, to mark the world premiere of the first Hobbit movie.
The airport's terminal was temporarily renamed "The Middle of Middle-earth" to celebrate the release of the film, set in the fictional world created by J.R.R. Tolkien. Steve Sanderson, Chief Executive of Wellington Airport, expressed pride in having the magnificent sculpture on display. Richard Taylor, Weta co-founder and creative director, noted that "Wellington airport feels like the home of Gollum after spending so many months here during the last three films."
The sculpture was on display for several years, greeting passengers with a unique and memorable welcome to Wellington, the proud home of Middle-earth.
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The sculpture is 13 metres long and 3 metres high
The Gollum sculpture at Wellington Airport is a sight to behold, not just because of its intricate details but also due to its sheer size. Measuring 13 metres in length and 3 metres in height, it is a larger-than-life representation of the beloved character from J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. The sculpture, designed by Weta Workshop, is suspended from the roof of the airport's terminal, giving it a dynamic and almost lifelike appearance.
The size of the sculpture is a testament to the craftsmanship and creativity involved in its creation. It was designed by the Wellington-based special-effects company, Weta Workshop, which is known for its outstanding work on the "Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" film franchises. Japanese artist Masayuki Ohashi brought the design to life, using polystyrene and epoxy resin as his primary materials. Ohashi's skill and attention to detail are evident in the final product, with every crease and scale on Gollum's skin meticulously crafted.
Standing at 3 metres high, the sculpture looms over onlookers, creating a sense of immersion in the world of Middle-earth. Its height contributes to the sense of scale and presence, making it a dominant feature in the terminal. The size of the sculpture also serves a practical purpose, ensuring that it is visible from multiple angles and vantage points within the airport, allowing passengers to appreciate it as they walk by or pause for a closer inspection.
The length of the sculpture, stretching to 13 metres, is equally impressive. It captures the fluidity and movement of Gollum's character as he dives for a 4-metre-long fish, one of three that are suspended in front of him. The length adds to the sense of motion and energy in the sculpture, as if Gollum is about to spring into action. It also allows for a more detailed rendering of Gollum's body, showcasing his slender frame and sinewy muscles.
The size of the Gollum sculpture is a critical aspect of its impact and appeal. It not only showcases the technical prowess of its creators but also enhances the visitor experience. The larger-than-life dimensions invite visitors to step into a fantastical realm, blurring the boundaries between fiction and reality. The sculpture's size, along with its intricate details, contributes to the sense of wonder and immersion, making it a memorable part of the airport's environment and a fitting tribute to the beloved character of Gollum.
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It is suspended from the ceiling of the main terminal
Wellington Airport in New Zealand is known for its two-decade run of Lord of the Rings-themed artworks. In 2012, a 13-metre-long sculpture of Gollum was unveiled in the 'Middle of Middle-earth' terminal. The sculpture, designed by Weta Workshop, is suspended from the ceiling of the main terminal. It is made from huge blocks of polystyrene and epoxy resin, weighing in at 1.2 tonnes. Visitors can walk under and around the sculpture, which depicts Gollum diving for a 4-metre-long fish. The sculpture was created to celebrate the release of Peter Jackson's first Hobbit film, "An Unexpected Journey".
The Weta Workshop founder, Richard Taylor, said, "Wellington Airport feels like the home of Gollum after spending so many months here during the last three films." The sculpture was designed by Japanese artist Masayuki Ohashi, who used chainsaws and robotics to bring the digital design to life. Ohashi described the project as "very exciting" to work on.
The Gollum sculpture was preceded by another Lord of the Rings-themed artwork at Wellington Airport. In 2003, a 6-metre-high sculpture of Gollum's head, hands, and the One Ring was installed on top of the airport terminal. This earlier sculpture was removed in 2004, but the current 13-metre-long Gollum sculpture remains a popular attraction for visitors to the airport.
In addition to the Gollum sculpture, Weta Workshop also created two giant eagle sculptures that hang from the ceiling of the main terminal. These sculptures, weighing about one tonne each, have a wingspan of 15 metres.
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The sculpture features Gollum diving for three 4-metre-long fish
Wellington Airport in New Zealand is home to a 13-metre-long sculpture of Gollum, a character from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. The sculpture, which was installed in 2012, features Gollum diving for three 4-metre-long fish. It is suspended from the roof of the airport's Middle of Middle-earth terminal, with the three fish appearing to float in front of Gollum as he dunks his head underwater to catch one.
The Gollum sculpture was designed by Weta Workshop, a Wellington-based special-effects company that worked on The Lord of Rings films. It was built by Japanese artist Masayuki Ohashi using polystyrene and epoxy resin, chainsaws, and robotics. Ohashi has described the project as very exciting to work on.
The sculpture was installed to celebrate the forthcoming release of the first film in The Hobbit trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson. The film, which was mostly filmed in New Zealand, is based on Tolkien's 1937 children's book in which Bilbo Baggins first encounters Gollum in the dark caves of the Misty Mountains, where he lives a relatively contented existence fishing for blind, bug-eyed prey.
Passengers arriving at Wellington Airport are greeted by the sign "the middle of Middle-earth" and can walk under and around the Gollum sculpture to explore its intricate detail.
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Frequently asked questions
The Gollum sculpture is located in the main terminal of Wellington Airport, New Zealand.
The sculpture is 13 metres long, 3 metres high, and weighs 1.2 tonnes. It depicts Gollum diving for three 4-metre-long fish, with nine bubbles coming out of his mouth.
The sculpture was installed to celebrate the release of the first Hobbit film, "An Unexpected Journey", directed by Peter Jackson. It was designed by Weta Workshop, the Wellington-based special-effects company that worked on The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit.
