The Famous Spiegeltent

At present "TheTaranaki International Arts Festival" is running from 13-30th August. One of the venues for shows is The Famous Spiegeltent, described in the advertising as one of the most beautiful venues in the world.

The most beautiful of the last remaining Belgian Spiegeltents, The Famous Spiegeltent, was built in 1920 by master craftsmen Oscar Mols Dom and Loius Goor. Since Marlene Dietrich sang Falling In Love Again on The Famous Spiegeltent stage in the 1930s, its magic mirrors have reflected thousands of images of artists, audiences and exotic gatherings.

Today I decided that as the Spiegeltent is so intricate and covered in detailed drawings I would only sketch a part of it and use watercolour pencils. That way I would have more control of my image. I was drawn to the reflection of the trees on Devon Street in the glass doors and the glimmer of some small mirrors that could be seen inside.

Here is my sketch:

And here are some photos:

The Famous Spiegeltent

The Famous Spiegeltent is in town.   'Spiegel' is the Dutch/Flemish word for mirror because they are lined with mirrors - the tent of mirrors.  Emerging in Belgium in the early 20th century they acted as traveling dance-halls, pubs, and entertainment salons and now there are only a handful left in the world.

The staff kindly let us past the barrier to sketch this 1920 version here for the Taranaki Arts Festival, the band was warming up inside.  Once you started drawing you discovered various risque pictures of a burlesque nature. This tent is built of 3000 pieces of wood, mirrors, canvas, and leaded glass then decorated in velvet and brocade, it takes 12 hours to assemble.  Apparently Marlene Dietrich performed in this tent back in the 1930's.  It can hold 300+ people, so looks slightly Tardis-like.

This one has been in New Plymouth several times before.  When it was here in 2009 the barmaid approached us as we sketched the band, and asked if we would draw her.

I later completed it at home on my then-new Wacom tablet.

the amazing and Famous Spiegeltent at this years Taranaki International Arts Festival . MLB