For centuries people have been drawn close to the magic of the rose, marvelling at its blooms and inhaling its sweet scent, with each encounter offering a private moment of sensual luxury.
The Museum Garden pathways. From botanical models to mirrors, on hats, buttons and cocktail dresses, these objects in the Museum Garden owe their decorative charm to the world of flowers.
Welcome to the World of the Rose
Wonderland: The Magic of the Rose is the second chapter in a two-part exhibition exploring the world’s most popular flowers. The exhibition unravels the fascinating lineage of this flower family and explores fabulous tales of love, passion and secrecy that have made the rose revered by royalty, praised by poets, and enjoyed by gardeners around the world.
“Wonderland is about telling the stories of our favourite flowers in fun and accessible ways,” says Auckland Museum director, Dr Vanda Vitali. “The iconic image of the rose has infused itself with art, myth and legend since the dawn of civilization. This is a chance for Aucklanders of all ages to discover the rose’s allure in a unique setting.”
Since the first European settlers arrived, roses have proved immensely popular in New Zealand. Wonderland includes stories of heritage rose species, some of which were thought to be lost to the world, until rediscovered here.
The exhibition features an exclusive interview with local rose-breeder Sam McGredy. One of the great rose breeders of the 20th century; his star varieties include ‘Dublin Bay’ and ‘Sexy Rexy’, found growing in gardens across the globe.
The rose lies at the heart of the language of love, and in Wonderland you can listen to its symbolic use in romantic poems by George Elliot and Robbie Burns. Also, investigate the ancient art of extracting rose oil, valued weight-for-weight more than gold.
Drawing from the Museum’s rich collections, the Rose Fashionistas section of Wonderland looks at the popularity of the rose motif over time – from Victorian dresses inspired by the Orient to the chic designs of the 1950s.
As well as examining the rose’s inspiration on culture, Wonderland explores the flower’s pollination process, and allows visitors to see the world through the eyes of a bee. Stop to smell the roses in the scent station. A multi-touch ‘pollinator’ screen allows you to pollinate a virtual garden.
The exhibition is accompanied by a full programme of events, including panel discussions, Fabulous Fridays, a Midsummer Night’s Dream-themed performance for children, as well as sleepovers.
