Filmmaker Taika Waititi has partnered with New Zealand electric vehicle brand Zeekr to launch “Spotlight,” a photography exhibition at Studio 230 in Ponsonby, Auckland, running from September 17 to 20, according to event announcements. NordEast, the New Zealand importer for Zeekr, instigated the collaboration to give Waititi complete creative freedom inside the studio space, resulting in seven physically created images lit entirely by a suspended Zeekr 7X SUV.
How Taika Waititi Used a Suspended Zeekr 7X for Lighting
To achieve the lighting for the seven-image series without computer-generated effects, the 2.3-tonne Zeekr 7X electric SUV was hoisted onto a bespoke rig attached to the roof of Studio 230, according to project disclosures. The vehicle’s headlights served as the sole light source for the physical sets. NordEast group general manager Dane Fisher stated that the brand wanted to engage audiences beyond traditional automotive marketing by collaborating with Waititi, whom he described as epitomizing a community of Kiwis who define their own path.
Speaking at the exhibition’s opening, Waititi explained his usual aversion to standard automotive marketing tropes. “I do a lot of advertising, and one thing I really don’t like is car advertising, because they’re always like… it’s got to be lit a certain way, it’s got to be perched on a mountain, there’s got to be a family on the roof, and all of it is pretty boring,” Waititi said. He added that he appreciated Zeekr agreeing to obscure the car itself in the final photographs, calling the approach courageous.
The Seven Distinct Worlds of the Spotlight Exhibition
According to exhibition details, the seven curated scenes each explore a different thematic concept under the illumination of the 7X headlights:
- UFO: Depicts an off-world, electrified technology visit addressing whether humans are alone in the universe, as reported by event notes.
- Caveman: Focuses on a meeting between primitive history and the future, anchored by the moment curiosity overcomes hesitation.
- Disco: Explores the concept that destruction can precede creation, framed around breaking something to make it better.
- Body Builder: References the vehicle’s 475 kilowatts of power to evoke physical presence that is felt rather than just seen.
- Feast: Showcases an abundant table with dense detail.
- Paparazzi: Centers on lenses capturing technology and the future.
- Sunburn: Portrays two figures described as unimpressed by noise and unbothered by hype.
Exhibition Schedule and Viewing Details
The “Spotlight” exhibition is free to the public and runs through September 20 at Studio 230 on Ponsonby Road in Auckland, with visitors able to book time slots via the ZeekrbyTaika website. Tarmac Life reported that the photographs will also be accessible for online viewing starting September 21. Frank Li, managing director of Zeekr AU NZ, noted that the project highlights the brand’s trans-Tasman ambitions through the involvement of Waititi.
Pro Tips for Visiting Studio 230
Visitors planning to attend the Ponsonby exhibition should book time slots in advance online to secure entry. Reviewing the online gallery after September 21 provides an alternative perspective for those unable to visit the Auckland studio in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Zeekr Spotlight exhibition located?
The exhibition is hosted at Studio 230, located on Ponsonby Road in Auckland, New Zealand.
How long is the exhibition open to the public?
Spotlight runs from September 17 through September 20, with free entry available by booking time slots online.
Who created the photographs for Spotlight?
Filmmaker, writer, and actor Taika Waititi created the seven-image series in collaboration with Zeekr and NordEast, using the headlights of a suspended Zeekr 7X as the sole light source.