30 Outrageous Inventions to be Exhibited

Venue: Settlers Museum

Thirty unique and humorous inventions have been selected for the Fringe Inventions exhibition to be held at the Otago Settlers Museum from 12 March-3 April.

Fringe Inventions is inspired by the strange and amusing Japanese art of Chindogu, which literally translates as 'strange tool'. Chingodu are inventions designed to solve everyday problems but are so impractical or embarrassing to use that they are almost useless. Too useful or commercially viable and they are no longer considered a Chindogu. 

The exhibition is the third to be held as part of the Dunedin Fringe Festival which this year runs from 17-27 March. 

More entries than ever before

87 entries were received from throughout New Zealand with several tertiary, secondary and primary schools participating. The selection process was made based on quality of concept, construction, design and how well each invention represented the 10 tenets of Chindogu. 

Festival Director, Paul Smith, said the standard of entries was high and the level of participation encouraging. "This is a fun event that draws on our ability to think outside the square. It is product design with a twist and hilarious to visit."

People's Choice Award

The 30 accepted entries will be judged by the visiting public through a people's choice award. The three inventions that receive the highest number of votes will be awarded vouchers donated by Mitre 10 Mega Dunedin. 

For more information please contact the Festival office or Festival publicist Sarah Girvan on 03 4792036 or 021 55 22 40.