Wellington Airport's iconic eagle sculptures, inspired by JRR Tolkien's works, will soon be removed from their long-standing position in the airport's ceiling to pave the way for an enigmatic new exhibit. The two impressive birds represent messengers from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, directed by New Zealand’s own Sir Peter Jackson. These striking figures have enriched the visitor experience, symbolizing the breathtaking landscapes showcased in Jackson's cinematic adaptations.
On Friday, the giant sculptures, which have been a fixture since their installation in 2013 alongside the release of The Hobbit trilogy, will be taken down. Wellington Airport’s CEO Matt Clarke expressed the airport's emotional connection to the eagles, noting their significance in welcoming tourists. Each eagle weighs 1.2 tonnes and boasts an impressive wingspan of 15 meters, topped with a sculpture of Gandalf riding one.
Crafted by Wētā Workshop, the company known for its work on the franchise, each eagle features thousands of intricately designed feathers. Despite the departure of these sculptures, fans can find solace in the continued display of Smaug the Magnificent, the dragon from The Hobbit, prominently featured in the check-in area.
Wellington Airport has indicated ongoing collaboration with Wētā Workshop to design a locally-themed replacement, promising to reveal more information later this year. Notably, one of the eagles experienced a mishap during a 2014 earthquake, but fortunately, there were no injuries reported from that incident.
On Friday, the giant sculptures, which have been a fixture since their installation in 2013 alongside the release of The Hobbit trilogy, will be taken down. Wellington Airport’s CEO Matt Clarke expressed the airport's emotional connection to the eagles, noting their significance in welcoming tourists. Each eagle weighs 1.2 tonnes and boasts an impressive wingspan of 15 meters, topped with a sculpture of Gandalf riding one.
Crafted by Wētā Workshop, the company known for its work on the franchise, each eagle features thousands of intricately designed feathers. Despite the departure of these sculptures, fans can find solace in the continued display of Smaug the Magnificent, the dragon from The Hobbit, prominently featured in the check-in area.
Wellington Airport has indicated ongoing collaboration with Wētā Workshop to design a locally-themed replacement, promising to reveal more information later this year. Notably, one of the eagles experienced a mishap during a 2014 earthquake, but fortunately, there were no injuries reported from that incident.
