Dark nights, bright lights
Watt’s up, Adelaide? Illuminate Adelaide’s celebration of technology, innovation, music, and art returns to brighten the darkest corners of the city this winter. We shine a light on some of this year’s dazzling new installations.
Words: Sasha Oelsner
FIRE GARDENS 4–21 July Adelaide Botanic Garden
Fire was our first form of light. Return to a time before incandescent bulbs and be mesmerised by the ever-changing flames that transform the Adelaide Botanic Garden in this brand-new experience. Renowned French creators Compagnie Carabosse paint with a palette of fire, colour, warmth, sound and scent to create entrancing flaming sculptures using thousands of burning fire pots, complete with live performers and musicians.
UNIVERSAL KINGDOM: PREHISTORIC NIGHTS 4–21 July Adelaide Zoo
Calling all future zoologists, paleontologists and conservationists – get ready to step back in time! Adelaide Zoo’s inhabitants will live side-by-side with creatures from our prehistoric past in this brand-new event, featuring a world crafted by renowned creative studios ERTH and A Blanck Canvas. Walk among bioluminescent early life forms, see dinosaurs frolic with their hatchlings, and even look Australia’s own sharp-toothed megaraptor in the eye. Gather your intrepid explorers and be immersed in a land before time.
EDEN 4–21 July The Light Room Studio at ILA
Be like Alice in your own wonderland as you’re enchanted by a world where art, science and nature collide, created by Berlin studio flora&faunavisions. An Adelaide exclusive event, create your own paradise in a digital garden using cutting-edge technology as it merges on ILA’s top-of-the-range digital screens. Let curiosity and movement guide you and see firsthand how every little action you take can have a big impact on the world around you.
THE CITY LIGHTS TRAIL 5–21 July Across the Adelaide CBD
At the flick of a switch, the City Lights trail will transform the city centre into a wonderland of immersive light and sound. From the new time of 5:30pm each night, play and interact with more than 30 installations for free. Here are a few installations on display this year from local, national and international artists.
Launch your evening at Base Camp, located this year at Lot Fourteen on North Terrace. Warm up with delicious food and beverages and plot your course for the evening. While you’re there, check out the ever-changing archways of Proximity State by Miles Dunne who is returning to Illuminate Adelaide after a successful run last year. RAA members can get the VIP treatment at the new and exclusive RAA Lounge, right in the heart of Base Camp.
A stop at Bonython Hall is a must on this year’s trail, with the historic space opened especially for City Lights to help celebrate The University of Adelaide’s 150th anniversary. Your focus will be laser sharp gazing wide-eyed at Japanese artist Shohei Fujimoto’s dazzling display intangible #form. Tailored to fit one of Adelaide’s most beautiful buildings, more than 1000 laser beams have been used to craft a magical, high-tech world.
Outside, near the moreton bay fig tree at the front of the university, you’ll find a glowing enchanted forest. Local talent Bailey Donovan presents the sweet-like-candy Incandescent, featuring more than 30 unique handmade glassworks illuminated from within. Take a moment to relax and reset while watching the tranquil colours and sounds.
Continue along North Terrace until you reach the State Library of South Australia. Be moved by the epic Ngarrindjeri Ruwi tale, beamed directly on the library’s surface. Using imagery and artificial intelligence, Tjarutja Dance Theatre Collective retells the Ngarrindjeri story of Kondili – the whale who is the keeper of the spark of fire.
A bit further along at Flinders University’s new city campus, located at Festival Plaza, you’ll find STORM. This artwork has been created by local Tim Gruchy, one of Australia’s longest-running multimedia artists. Dance like nobody’s watching at this interactive installation and be amazed at the intersection of technology and the human experience.
These radiant works of art and more are scattered throughout the city, so plan your journey with the online map and let the lights guide you.
IMAGES: Benjamin Arnedo, Artec House, Andrew Beveridge, Frankie the Creative, Lacey Wright, Tyr Liang at Xplorer Studio.
