Illuminating fun at Exxopolis

Tickets to experience the Exxopolis go on sale today.

Tickets go on sale today for the chance to get inside a 1000sq m inflatable art exhibit which makes visitors feel as though they are "inside a kaleidoscope".

The Exxopolis will be situated on The Strand through the Tauranga Arts Festival, during its first visit to New Zealand in October.

It is one of several "luminaria" made by UK company Architects of Air, who say the walk-in sculpture holds light like an aquarium holds water.

Made of coloured PVC, Exxopolis was created in 2012 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Architects of Air.

The 1000sq m luminarium will be erected on The Strand waterfront, between the playground and the Fan, and opens on October 16, six days before the festival begins, closing on the last day of the festival, November 1.

The main dome of Exxopolis was inspired by an English cathedral and features 10 "stained-glass" windows, their designs based on Penrose tiling discovered by English mathematician and physicist Roger Penrose. Tunnels connect the domes and the construction includes pods, where visitors may sit and pause. Since 1992, various luminaria have been shown in more than 500 exhibitions in 38 countries, enchanting more than 2 million people.

The shoe-free Exxopolis is designed to be accessible to all ages and abilities. Timed-entry tickets are for $12 each (plus booking fee), with discounted prices for families and Tect card-holders - half the tickets available for any one day will be pre-sold with the rest available as door sales. Entry will be limited to 80 people every 30 minutes. Exxopolis tickets are available from Baycourt or Ticketek.

Tauranga Arts Festival
•Featuring performers from around the world, the Tauranga Arts Festival takes place from October 22 to November 1.
•Tickets for festival performances go on sale from August 13.
•For more information, go to www.taurangafestival.co.nz