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The Idea Collective celebrates New Zealand’s vibrant innovation culture by bringing together a diverse set of visionaries, artists, designers and technologists. Together they have created a range of exciting displays and experiences.

The pop-up, modular installation showcases Kiwi innovation across a variety of endeavours. It consists of five themed pavilions inhabited by forward-thinking businesses or groups telling their innovation story. They have each been paired with local artists to produce a creative interpretation of what they do.

Those currently featured in this installation are: Eat My Lunch (a brilliant example of social innovation), Think & Shift (design innovation), Hivemind (technology innovation), Mohiomap (digital innovation) and Generation Zero (environmental innovation). Several of these were named as winners and finalists in the NZ Innovators Awards 2015 as well as the NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards. The artists who worked alongside the innovators include: Chris Berthelsen, Dan Blanshard, Brogen Averill, Daniel Kamp, and Ross Liew.

Digital Experience Coordinator at MOTAT and project lead for The Idea Collective, Luke Diggins, says “This is not a conventional museum exhibition, but rather a dynamic open space where visitors and participants can explore and discuss ideas around innovation, technology, and creativity.”

The Idea Collective is something completely different to anything MOTAT has produced in the past. It has a contemporary industrial design which incorporates large murals by well-known artists, Aaron Glasson and Celeste Byers, Cinzah Merkens and DSide/Milarky. Each of these impressive artworks depicts aspects of the creative processes involved with innovation, from the initial inspiration through to the design and production phases. In March, The Idea Collective will be inviting four internationally renowned mural artists to paint additional innovation-themed murals at the Museum.

Luke Diggins explains why creative expression is such a key focus for The Idea Collective, “Educators, artists and scientists have come to recognise the importance of blending the arts and sciences for the enrichment of the learning process. This supports MOTAT’s aim to incorporate elements of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths (STEAM) into all the experiences we offer. The Idea Collective definitely puts the ‘A’ into STEAM!”

Visitors to The Idea Collective will get a kick out of creating their own sound and light show on the ‘Titania’ light harp. This touch-free interface generates music and triggers a light display in response to movement. The mysteries of augmented reality can be explored in an interactive installation designed by leading Kiwi innovator, Sir Ian Taylor. A dome like structure named The Bubble, houses a pop-up video arcade where guests can trial computer games created by independent developers from Auckland.

The installation features a sound and motion responsive bridge, a cinema area and a Makerspace office for ‘innovators-in-residence’. The New Zealand Game Developers Association (NZGDA) is currently based here and visitors to The Idea Collective are invited to interact with the resident developers and watch them while they work.

As part of a nationwide network of volunteer-led coding clubs, MOTAT has established the Code@MOTAT club where Kiwi kids come together to learn how to create their own games, animations and apps. Like all Code Clubs, it's free to attend, and runs once a week after school. Here volunteers from the programming industry provide one-on-one support to guide children through the challenges of learning coding languages.

The Idea Collective invites open conversation about what innovation means and what the future holds. During Auckland City’s ‘Tech Week’ from 16 to 21 May, the Museum will use this multi-dimensional creative space to host demonstrations and workshops covering subjects such as robotics, 3D printing, building your own computer, coding and game development.

Rather than being a static project, The Idea Collective will evolve and develop over time to become a focal point for discussing ideas and innovation. It is designed to inspire future generations of Kiwis by informing visitors and encouraging them to engage with the innovation process.

The exhibition is open at MOTAT from 10am – 5pm. Entry is included in the MOTAT general admission fee. 

ENDS

For further information, photographs or interviews please contact:
Vanessa Hefer |Communications Advisor | Mobile: 021 340 518 | vanessa.hefer@motat.org.nz