Space quest to the dark side

When The Dark Side of the Mount opens at Lightwave Gallery tomorrow night, director Ken Wright hopes people will feel like they are in an alien spaceship and have travelled to another world.

He has worked hard to fashion the sci-fi backdrop and capture the futuristic essence of the exhibition.

The Dark Side of the Mount is essentially a platform for talented recycled-machinery artist Rob Murdoch, who has created a collection of zany laser pistols, rifles and a 1.8m robot.

His work falls into the fast-growing "steam, diesel and enjin punk" movement, but when he tabled the idea of a solo show it snowballed as other artists wanted to get on board with the retro-futuristic theme.

"We just got together and everyone started fizzing," says Wright. "All the artists involved have varied styles so it's going to be fantastic."

The Dark Side of the Mount presents a tale that follows the journey of Captain Rob Murdoch, an intrepid time-traveller, hunter and collector of all things strange from the farthest corners of the galaxy.

The concept is simple, says Wright, but effective: "We will have Captain Rob's study, his tele-krono transportator room and a secure vault with dangerous artefacts captured from the farthest corners of the solar system."

A journal penned by Wright also details Captain Rob's adventures and ties the exhibition together.

"Some people may struggle to get a grip on what we are doing but we just didn't want another exhibit with art hanging on the wall," says Wright.

"It's going to be an outer-atmosphere experience."

The Fine Print

What: The Dark Side of the Mount

Where: Lightwave Gallery, 31 Totara St, Mount Maunganui

When: February 1-24