Dr Grordbort‘s Exceptional Exhibition is very clever and lots of fun. Anyone who’s ever been associated with Alf’s Imperial Army would just love it. (Remind me to tell you sometime of the occasion when I shared my Army sleeping quarters with seven Wizards).
The exhibits are of the steam punk variety, horribly misogynist, and absolutely delightful. I’d never come across the Doctor before but apparently there is a cult following in Europe for this “retro-science fiction universe of rayguns, rocketships and raw male idiocy”. The creator is Greg Broadmore, and he’s partnered by Weta Workshop.
I liked the portraits best. Photographs were allowed, and here are some samples:
Jahukara Lowrg
This fluffy creature is “A fuzzy misshapen assortment of limbs and lumpy bits that look as if they were assembled by a drunk.”
Arbel Symetric
Arbel is “An F.M.O.M. Industries manufactured automatic man – good at math and remembering complicated baking recipes.
Pomson 6000
(This one’s for Lynne.) “Known also as the Pommy Gun, this bright and shiny automatic aether oscillator was a favoured weapon of the Earth Elite Forces. This example is from the consumer market where is shipped in Cardinal Red, Bumblebee Yellow, Piano Black, Poncy Purple, and other stylish hues.”
Green Device
I’m not sure what this green device does, but it’s impressive.
Lace Nosed Massakhi
“Which way is up? Which way is down? Natural selection seems to have taken a nap on this one.”
Captain Cockswain
And lastly, “our hero” (sic), Captain Cockswain with the Moon Mistress.
The explanatory title cards were wonderfully clever (although they had misplaced apostrophes). Unfortunately many cards were placed so low you had to crouch to read them. I spoke to the woman who brought the exhibition to Christchurch and she said there simply wasn’t room to put them any higher. It’s a great pity because it meant I didn’t read them all, and I would have liked to. The exhibition is at The Colombo (next to Academy Cinema) until 28 February, and I strongly recommend it.
“It’s absolutely not P.C.
but these works will engender glee!”
Ruth's Reflections 