forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
Modelers Lounge => Time to relax => Topic started by: Jamo on May 02, 2015, 08:47:09 PM
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Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson is promising the greatest World War I show on earth with his Great War Exhibition, which opened on ANZAC Day 25 April. Peter Jackson's Wingnut Films, alongside Sir Richard Taylor's Weta Workshop, have been the driving creative forces behind the multimillion-dollar Government-backed project The Great War Exhibition, which commemorates the crucial role New Zealand played in the war. I visited this afternoon and what a treat it turned out to be. Click on the images to enlarge
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040242.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040246.jpg)
As visitor numbers are very high, at present the only option for seeing the exhibition is by guided tour in groups of 18-20. The tour takes about 20 minutes and there is not much lingering permitted, but photography is OK. Unfortunately the exhibition is dimly lit and the camera struggled with shutter speeds as slow as 1/10 of a second, so apologies up front for some of the quality.
The show will stay open for the duration of the centenary, closing after Armistice Day in 2018 so I expect after the initial rush there will be plenty of opportunity for a longer visit. It is designed to be a personal journey for individual visitors and is being released in three parts like a movie trilogy.
The first instalment, which opened last Saturday, ushers visitors through portals through each year of the war and begins in a peaceful Belgian village.
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040152.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040153.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040155.jpg)
When war broke out in 1914, tens of thousands of Kiwi troops arrived in Europe buoyed by a wave of colonial idealism thinking they would be "home before Christmas". But brutal reality soon set in. The Great War took 18,166 New Zealand lives at a time when the young country's population numbered just over 1m.
As you walk through the exhibition you are shown the experiences of conscription and shipping out for war, before being emersed in recreations of battle scenes, including life-sizes tanks and weapons.
The sounds of men merrily marching off to war are present at the start but are soon replaced by the rolling thunder of tanks, gunfire and shelling.
Many of the artillery pieces and uniforms sprinkled throughout the exhibition are from Jackson's personal collection, while other pieces were donated from war museums in France and Belgium.
Every inch of the exhibition is in colour, as Jackson placed a ban on black and white. "Most people have the idea of World War I being a black and white war, because of the photography of the time," he said. "But the soldiers didn't experience a black and white war ... I just wanted people to be able to see war in colour, as the soldiers saw it."
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040162.jpg)
A fascinating cutaway of a border fortress which was overrun by the Germans
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040156.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040157.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040158.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040159.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040165.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040163.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040164.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040166.jpg)
Lots of weapons were on display, and uniforms
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040160.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040170.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040172.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040173.jpg)
And then I looked up . . .
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040171.jpg)
This reproduction Maurice Farman MF11 is in the markings of Lts Fernand Jacquet and Louis Robin of the Belgian 1ere Escadrille. It was built by The Vintage Aviator Ltd and I was told it has an original engine. The undersurfaces have been heavily 'weathered' with mud.
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040174.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040176.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040179.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040181.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040182.jpg)
On to 1915 and trench warfare
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040183.jpg)
An ultra-realistic 1:1 scale diorama
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040185.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040189.jpg)
This newspaper headline was enlarged to cover a wall
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040184.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040192.jpg)
Large scale trench diorama in something close to 1/72 I think
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040196.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040200.jpg)
A massive diorama in 1:1 scale with a British tank overrunning a trench with a mine thrower crew underneath
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040204.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040208.jpg)
Under the tank
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040205.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040210.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040212.jpg)
On to 1917
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040213.jpg)
Super realistic 1:1 scale Lewis gunner
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040214.jpg)
Small scale trench diorama
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040216.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040217.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040218.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040219.jpg)
The show features painstakingly colourised black and white photos
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040222.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040220.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040226.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040227.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040228.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040229.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040230.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040231.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040232.jpg)
1:1 scale German storm troopers
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040233.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040234.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040235.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040236.jpg)
The great War is not glorified
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040238.jpg)
The exhibition ends with a sombre poppy-laden reflection on the war's unfathomable death toll
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040239.jpg)
Then it is time to jump on a ship to get home to the loved ones
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040240.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040254.jpg)
Jackson's great-uncle died in World War I, and his grandfather met his grandmother while recovering from bullet wounds suffered on the front.
About $10m has been spent on the project to date, with $7m coming from Government, $2m from Wellington City Council and most of the remainder from ANZ Bank (my employer). I have only covered a small part with these photographs. Will have to go back, its brilliant!
Another reason reason to visit Wellington before creeping old age sets in.
Cheers
James
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What an absolutely brilliant exhibition!
My already high respect for Sir Peter for his contribution to WW1 history and ANZAC in particular continues to escalate.
I would certainly like to buy him a beer!
And thank you very much Jamo for posting your great photos.
I must take a visit over the Tasman and visit this!
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Wow wow wow. Thanks so much for the tour, as chances of getting to NZ before it closes seem slim...
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Thanks for taking the trouble to do this, much appreciated.
My desire to visit NZ grows with each passing day. Being Welsh, we share sheep and rugby as national treasures!
With the British Lions touring in 2017, that would be a perfect time to visit - I need to start planning. And saving!
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Thanks Jamo, magnificent display! Maybe someday............. :-\
Cheers,
Lance
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Thanks for sharing this. Sadly, I'll never have the chance to see it, but it was nice seeing it through the camera lens.
Warren
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Many thanks for sharing us this Exhibition, Jamo.
Martin
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Thank You Jamo, a great walk around, and I'm hoping and looking forward to further installments.
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Thanks for the tour, James. Amazing exhibits!
Cheers,
Ernie :)
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Thanks Jamo.
Unlikely that I'll be able to get over to see it so many thanks for these pics!
Ian
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What a fantastic exhibit!! Thank you so much, James, for sharing these photos with us! Peter Jackson sure does things in grand style. :D
I look forward to the other exhibits in the series.
Thanks,
George
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Magnificent, and thank you so much James for sharing these photos with us.
Best wishes
Nigel
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Thanks very much James for the photos of this magnificent display, it is an incredible tribute to all those who lost their lives and fought in the Great War.
Des.
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Wow!
Thanks for that James... It was like being there! The colour photos are awesome!
Guy
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That is truly marvelous. A fine tribute to all those who fought - at the front & at home.
Leaving aside the authentic exhibits, the scale models bring home the reality far more than the overuse of 'digital media' which infects so many museum displays.
Regards
Russell
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Many thanks for sharing your images of the spectacular Great War exhibition Jamo. it is simply the best I have ever seen and a lesson to other museums of what can be achieved. Kudos to everyone involved and special thanks to Sir Peter and his team for ensuring NZ's WW1 role is properly acknowledged.
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia ( expat Kiwi!)
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Thanks for the feedback everyone. Since I was on Saturday a new display has opened. The ANZ New Zealand room contains a large scale diorama of the battlefield at Chunuk Bair featuring an army of over 5000 miniatures. It depicts that battle in the Gallipoli campaign where, on 8 August 1915, the Wellington Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Malone took and defended the Turkish defences on the heights of the ridge line overlooking the Gallipoli beach head. The diorama shows the desperate fighting, bravery and leadership on both sides that characterised this crucial battle.
Have a look here:
http://anzacdiorama.blogspot.co.nz/
Blog author writes:
"Having seen the diorama in its last stages of development, I can say the wait will be worth it. It is absolutely stunning. And I mean not just 'stunning' in the way it looks with so many lovingly painted 54mm figures on such a large terrain, but actually 'stunning' by its heart-rending impact on the spectator with the huge amount of carnage it shows.
This is no normal sanitised wargames table - it is a 'no holds barred' freeze-frame of the bloody squalor that the real battlefield would have been on that day.
Painting the figures, especially the casualties, has been a very emotional task. Perhaps this is part of the reason that the project has built up an incredible atmosphere amongst the 140 volunteer painters involved.
The painting project has brought together wargamers from different clubs all over the country, as well as lots of non-club wargamers and painters. It has brought together gamers of every genre, most of whom had never painted WW1 or 54mm before. It has resulted in a camaraderie between the volunteer painters and the professional model-makers from Weta Workshop who did the terrain.
And through the loads of media interest the painting project has created, it has brought the hobby out into the public arena in a definitely "non-geeky" way.
Overall, it has made us all feel proud that we have really done something special to commemorate this important event in New Zealand's history."
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ThklQ5Avq-E/VTYK51190jI/AAAAAAAABXo/oT6DdYPNksw/s1600/u_IMG_3625.jpg)
Sir Peter Jackson reviews the troops, accompanied by Rhys Jones (aka 'Armchair General', which is a nickname he is fully entitled to, being a retired Lieutenant General in real life), and UK sculptors extraordinaire, Michael and Alan Perry.
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8S2EC842DJE/VToWF6RH6AI/AAAAAAAABhI/2dwpYKET5A8/s1600/t_IMG_3846.jpg)
The real terrain around Chunuk Bair was mapped by laser surveying, and the digital map was then used to guide the computer controlled lathe to shape large blocks of styrofoam to form the miniature terrain.
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lGMVd8-9N_M/VTYINN__UQI/AAAAAAAABW4/BNp314Ul57w/s1600/t_IMG_2074.jpg)
Even though it looks like a picnic, applying the vegetation to the terrain was a huge job, and took about two weeks.
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-itquYlbfPQA/VUZcZlMscmI/AAAAAAAABqI/_dmnpvKIhOc/s1600/v_IMG_2084.jpg)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-intyf8u7c-w/VToha9Lh7lI/AAAAAAAABh0/GEEYfmD6-zA/s1600/t_IMG_2045.jpg)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0vidb7jmRsE/VToUfi_CEbI/AAAAAAAABg8/rkNW5aOqBjI/s1600/t_IMG_2129.jpg)
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Thank you again Jamo. :)
What an outstanding depiction of the battle!
It certainly is something special.
Fantastic team effort by the modellers.
Must be the biggest group build ever!
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Incredible!
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Wow! Words cannot describe this. Thank you so very much for sharing your pictures, James....
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thanks james, you always contribute such interesting things for us to look at.
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I first saw this on the Great war forums galipoli section the Chunuk bair diorama is beyond words.
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This newspaper headline was enlarged to cover a wall
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Great%20War%20exhibition%20Wellington/P1040184.jpg)
Tomorrow marks 100 years since this headline! Quite a sobering thought.
Thanks for the photos, my fiancee's brother and his partner live in Wellington so it won't be hard to make an excuse to get down there. I do not want to miss it.
I was talking with a friend the other day who visited and he got a selfie stick specifically to shoot the Farman!