CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER: Viola Savoy starred as Alice in the 1915 American silent, dark, fantasy adventure film adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. More than a century later an interactive experience at Te Papa called Wonderland celebrates the screen history of the English author’s stories. Picture supplied
Head down the rabbit hole at Te Papa’s experiential exhibition Wonderland this summer. First stop is Lewis Carroll’s drawing room where you collect the Lost Map of Wonderland. The map is a physical and digital device that unlocks experiences such as Down the Rabbit Hole which transports visitors from the
real world into Wonderland. The Hallway of Doors introduces Lewis Carroll, Alice Liddell and key Wonderland characters, objects and places. Pre-cinematic optical toys and early theatrical versions feature in the Pool of Tears, and Looking Glass House shows a collection of live action objects and effects.
“Wonderland will take visitors on Alice’s journey through popular culture, demonstrating how artists, filmmakers and fans have returned to her story with the help of screen technologies for more than a century,” says Te Papa chief executive Geraint Martin.
Visitors also get to play at the Queen’s Croquet Ground and can even take a seat at the interactive digital experience, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. The Lost Map of Wonderland will help guests create a character of themselves and scan it into a large scale projection in the Queen’s Croquet Ground. A multiple screen audio visual room showcases Alice from different times, cultures and media.
The exhibition features more than 300 unique objects including spectacular costumes, puppets, magic lantern projectors, props, concept drawings, first edition publications and illustrations, and animations.
Tickets go on sale on September 30. Find out more at TePapa.nz/wonderland.
