New Zealand Odyssey: Dental Chambers 1934, Pahiatua, Wairarapa

'New Zealand Odyssey', published in 1989 by Heinemann, was authored by me, Don Donovan (who did the text and illustrations) and Euan Sarginson, who did the photography and design. In this series of blog posts, I will publish some of my drawings.

Pahiatua is a pleasant, unassuming village on the highway through the northern end of the Wairarapa district. It came as something of a surprise, then, to spot this superb piece of art deco architecture. There's absolutely no doubt that it was built in 1934, sometime after the Napier earthquake that was the spur for an art deco renaissance of major proportions. Perhaps the proud owner of the dental chambers took his cue from Napier?

Whoever he (or she) was; this classic was an inspiration, and Pahiatua is richer for it. I only hope they know what a gem they've got in that main street.

© DON DONOVAN

donovan@ihug.co.nz

Kaikoura’s Art Deco Surprise

Kerb crawling the Kaikoura seafront, it comes as a visual shock to see this superb little cinema. The Mayfair Theatre was built in 1935, and is now run by the local community. Art Deco it certainly is right down to its signwriting which is a letter form derived from ‘fat faces’ such as Braggadocio designed in 1930. One wonders whether the inspiration for the Mayfair came from the Art Deco reconstruction of Napier, on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island after its devastating earthquake.

They still use the original projectors at the Mayfair lighted by those carbon arcs that require constant vigilance for fear of their gaps widening and the picture fading. (I remember as a boy how the audience used to catcall if the picture started to disappear because the projectionist might have popped out for a quick smoke!)
How astute of the local community not only to recognize the historical value of Art Deco but to maintain the theatre in such good nick.

© DON DONOVAN
donovan@ihug.co.nz
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