Press Release 25 June 2010

GIANT DRAGON CALLS MANUKAU CITY HOME
Weta Workshop Sculpture Demonstration in Westfield Manukau City

Visitors to Westfield Manukau City may be shocked to find a fiery beast residing in the mall from Monday 28 June.

Part of Westfield’s school holiday programme, Weta Workshop sculptor Kim Graham will be inspiring and educating up-and coming artists as she works in ‘The Dragon’s Lair’ on a ‘life-sized’ dragon sculpture. Kim will also be inviting young shoppers to lend a hand in bringing the creature to life.

Kim will be demonstrating sculpting from 10am daily and encouraging children to help her as she works. While talking through the sculpting process, she will explain techniques & tools and reveal how movie magic happens. The dragon is currently a 5 foot 9 inch Plaster of Paris covered sculpture with one tonne of clay to be added over the next two weeks.

“I simply adore working with fantasy and mythological images” says Kim. “The Dragon’s Lair is the perfect opportunity for children to experience the art of sculpting and to learn more about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into filmmaking.”

Of course every dragon needs a suitable dwelling and the shopping centre has the ideal landscape for any modern dragon – a mythical castle backdrop.

The Dragon’s Lair also features three interactive run by Lifeway College students giving children the chance to experience 3D animation, the art of caricature and matte painting. The lounges are open from 11am to 3pm: 5 July to 9 July 2010.

Lounge Area 1: Lifeway College Student Showcase
See how animation works
Find out more about 3D animations from the students of Lifeway College. Grab a colouring competition, colour in the dragon and go into the draw to win a $50 Westfield Gift Voucher plus the winner takes home their Matte Painting blown up and printed on canvas. Winners announced 2pm Friday 9 July 2010.

Lounge Area 2: Matte Painting
See how the magic of 3D animation works first hand! Children can have their photo taken and incorporated into an animated dragon-themed background. For a gold coin donation, children take their picture away.

Lounge Area 3: Caricature (2D drawing)
See yourself as a caricature? Children can visit the artist to see themselves in caricature and take it home to show friends and family.

Kim Graham has been a professional artist for more than 20 years in the US. Based primarily out of Seattle, she has recently made the move to Wellington to work for New Zealand's Weta Workshop. Kim has worked and taught in huge variety of fields including welding, sculpting, mold making, casting, bronze, ceramic, human anatomy and prop making.

Weta Workshop is the multi-award winning company known for its movie set design and creation of special effects for movies such as Lord of the Rings.

Plans to re-home the dragon after 10 July are yet to be confirmed however, Westfield Marketing Manager, Monya van Wyk is determining plans to donate the dragon to a worthwhile cause.

Westfield Manukau City, Centre Court, 28 June – 10 July 2010

For more details, head to www.westfield.co.nz/manukau

ENDS

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