DIAGRAMMATICA COMES TO PŌNEKE

Presented as part of the Urban Dream Station Series, Diagrammatica is an epic improvisation inspired by physics diagrams, astral photography and graphic musical scores. Hundreds of sculptural and visual fragments form a vast interconnected field, continually rearranged and reimagined by the people who enter it.

Live cameras turn these actions into moving pictures of thought, generating a film in real time as forms gather, collide, dissolve and reappear.

Each day, guest Pōneke musicians curated by experimental music stalwarts The Pyramid Club, improvise inside the work, responding to the shifting film, the people and the space as an evolving graphic score. Local live-art legends Barbarian join Strange Engine to host the work, playing alongside the public and helping hold the system open for whatever might emerge.

Created by Aotearoa artist Jason Maling with sound artists Madeleine Flynn & Tim Humphrey and filmmaker Rhian Hinkley, Diagrammatica was first presented at RISING, Melbourne in 2025. It went on to win the 2026 Green Room Award for Outstanding Work in Contemporary & Experimental Performance, with further nominations for Design and Technical Achievement.

Wellington Railway Station — 1-13 December 2026
Right side of the entry foyer

FREE

Tuesday–Sunday: 4–8.30pm
Closed Monday 7 December

Turn up at any point during the live hours to explore the exhibition, watch the film unfold in real time, listen to the musicians, see the drawings and peer into the making space.

No booking is needed to visit the exhibition.

Want to go further and step inside?

There are two participation sessions each day:

SESSION 1: 4–5.30pm
Enter at 4pm and stay for up to 90 minutes.

SESSION 2: 7–8.30pm
Enter at 7pm and stay for up to 90 minutes.

You can reserve a free place online, or simply turn up and see if there is space. A limited number of places are available to book for each session, with additional places held for walk-ins.

Before entering, you’ll receive a short briefing and be fitted with light overalls and a tool belt.

Once inside, there is no prescribed task and nothing you are expected to achieve. No particular skills are needed. Follow what interests you, respond to what is already there, connect something, undo something, or simply spend time inside the system.

RESERVE A FREE PLACE

4PM SESSION — 4–5.30pm
[Booking link]

7PM SESSION — 7–8.30pm
[Booking link]

Bookings are recommended but not essential. You do not need to book to visit the exhibition, watch the film or explore the public-facing work.

Diagrammatica is presented by Strange Engine in partnership with The Pyramid Club, KiwiRail, Urban Dream Brokerage and with hosting support from Barbarian Productions.

Generously supported by the Wellington City Council Public Art Fund.