Tag Archives: new zealand

Dragonish in Devonport, New Zealand

For the price of a ferry ticket, visitors to Auckland on New Zealand’s north island can leave the bustling metropolitan area behind and be walking around on the quaint streets of a bayside village within 15-20 minutes. The charming suburb of Devonport is visible from the dockside precinct of the city, but the look and feel of the area gives the illusion that you have gone back in time by several decades.

Devonport Ferry Terminal with Auckland, New Zealand in the background

 

This tiny community has an eclectic mix of architectural styles that include Federation cottages from the 1800s and an Art Deco theatre on the main street.

Federation cottages from the 1800s in Devonport near Auckland, New Zealand

Art Deco theatre on the main street of Devonport near Auckland, New Zealand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But our real ‘find of the day’ was a work of mosaic art sitting half-way up a steep hill on a tiny green park. This ‘find’ overlooks the township and the harbour below. In the first photo below, you can just make out a man’s head in this view from the back. And those children on the left were running downhill quite quickly, trying to keep their balance on the steep angle.

 

Dragon passed by children running downhill in Devonport near Auckland, New Zealand

 

Dragon bench of mosaic tiles in Devonport near Auckland, New Zealand

 

Detail on backside of mosaic-art dragon bench in Devonport near Auckland, New Zealand

 

And so you can get a feel for the size and scale of this piece, here’s what a 6 foot tall man looks like sitting on it.

 

Man sitting on dragon bench in part overlooking Devonport near Auckland, New Zealand

 

Devonport — a charming side trip from Auckland and it is well worth a full day or overnight visit.

 

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Tilt

The visually arresting tilt of a huge architectural component within the interior at the Auckland Museum in New Zealand was a delightful surprise that I wanted to share with you.

Interior Atrium Architecture at the Auckland Museum

I had just traversed a somewhat gloomily lit gallery wing filled with period clothing and furniture and was completely and pleasantly surprised when I stepped into a huge, roofed over, and brightly illuminated interior courtyard. This was a complete surprise since I had done no research on the museum prior to my entrance and I certainly wasn’t expecting to find such a contemporary section within the very traditional exterior facade seen below.

Auckland Museum Exterior

The quality of light spilling into the atrium from various window angles was a refreshing change from the somberness of the galleries which are quite likely to be intentionally under-lit to preserve the various artwork and textiles. The large open space was certainly not silent or peaceful due to the amount of people milling around in the cafe area, the gift shop, and spilling in and out of the doors of the galleries that all funnelled them into that atrium. Yet it was a surprisingly muted sound when you consider the number of hard surfaces that are present. Certainly the vast expanses of timber in those overhead components must have been absorbing the sound. And it allowed us to eat our lunch and enjoy the interior architecture without being compelled to raise our voices to be heard across the tiny cafe table.

This is a beautiful museum and is highly recommended if you are visiting Auckland.

Auckland Museum Atrium