Inflatable luminarium dazzles lucky few early-bird explorers

CAPTURED BY LIGHT: Charli McDonald (left) and sister Bella McDonald were one of the first people to experience the inflatable fortress of light on Tauranga's waterfront. Photo / Andrew Warner

A giant fortress of light on the Tauranga waterfront impressed the Bay residents who got a sneak preview of the world's latest luminarium, called Arboria.

Arboria is a multisensory inflatable structure fitted with winding paths of light and colour made possible by using only natural light.

Its creators, Architects of Air, liken it to an aquarium - "like an aquarium holds water, a luminarium holds light".

Take a virtual tour here:

Three 8m-high domes create a dazzling display of colour that leads into a maze of light.

About 100 people of all ages pre-purchased tickets to the early-bird opening of Arboria yesterday evening before it was opened to the public today.

Five-year-old Bella McDonald and her 6-year-old sister, Charli, were among the first people to explore the light maze.

The sisters entered the inflatable structure of light holding hands with their mum and keen to explore the world inside.

"I really like all the tunnels and the light," said Charli.

The 1000sq m blow-up maze made from PVC popped up on The Strand, along Tauranga's waterfront yesterday.

It took about eight hours to set up and inflate it.

Mayor Stuart Crosby addressed the crowd and welcomed the luminarium as a kick-start to the Tauranga Arts Festival.

"It's fantastic to have such a unique art installation here on our waterfront," Mr Crosby said.

"The art installation is for all ages and everyone will be blown away when they experience it."

He encouraged people to check out the structure just in case this was the only time Tauranga would host a luminarium.

Tauranga Arts Festival associate director Claire Mabey said the luminarium's home on the waterfront would draw attention from visitors in the city centre and the wider community.

"This is really important to us because we want to highlight Tauranga as a destination," Ms Mabey said. "We've got a lot of out-of-towners who are interested in coming down and this also signals the beginning of the Tauranga Arts Festival."

This is the first time Arboria has toured New Zealand and Tauranga is the third city to host it.

British owners and designers Architects of Air designed Arboria this year and member Jayne Willox said it took about half an hour to inflate and deflate the structure every day.

She was pleased her "office" was on Tauranga's waterfront for the next two weeks.

Arboria will be on The Strand until November 1.

Only 80 people are able to enter at one time.

Entry to Arboria will be every half hour.

Tickets can be purchased at http://www.taurangafestival.co.nz/