Singapore Garden Festival
"Modern Day Maui"
Shuter Design was selected to represent NZ at the Singapore Garden Festival in the 'Fantasy' category.
The Concept
Maui has asked me to design him a 'pad' for him to retire in. 'Keeping up with the Joneses' with a modern look, but incorporating a cultural feel.
The garden is to be in a peaceful place, self sustainable (edible & medicinal plants), in keeping with his heritage not only in NZ but throughout the Pacific and Asia. Something to remind him of his 'younger days', his legends and myths.
The main feature wil be the front of his main 'pad' - a 3mx3m tall 3D slatted face of a Maori with moko. Coming off the face will be an open plan deck area which relates back to his boating days, with a waka tail.
The face will contain up to 60 vertical slats, to create the 3D effect.
The Fantasy category is within a large marquee and ambient lighting, mist and sound will play a major role in the design. Laser lighting will project the Southern Cross in the sky.
The display is 8mx10m
The story...
19th July
- 'James the Humble Man Webster' finally arrives
- A very touching karakia for the display, and then onto Maui's moko - two days work
- A number of passionfruit plants, pregrown on chicken wire are placed on the concrete mesh side wall of Maui
- Onto the 'dressing up' stage, which is the exciting bit and we started to layout/plant the larger plants
- Frustration whilst we wait for the team to install lighting - meaning we can't finish the planting
- A number of the other displays have already finished!
20th- 21st July
- 'Stan the Man Scott' has to leave but not before the Maui's pad is completed - thanks Stan your efforts were totally appreciated
- 2 days of very long hours - and little sleep follow
- the lights finally went in
- we could start planting and the plants went in - after several trims & washes
- We had run out of time to get everything completed to the standard required. We needed another day and a half approximately....it was pretty heart breaking
- The following day, we learn that we have been awarded 'Bronze'
Summary
It wasn't quite the happy ending that I was after, but it was a privilege to have the opportunity to go there and have the experiences that we did.
While I was at the awards evening, I enjoyed a couple of beers with Jonathan Austin, NZ High Commissioner in Singapore. During our conversation I offered to donate Maui's head to NZ Embassy House. I am currently designing a section of the garden for Maui to reside in - I can't think of a better home for Maui to go to.
A Quick Note...
I'd like to thank everyone that was involved in helping me to fulfill my dream - thank you and I'll always remember
Adam Shuter