The northern hemisphere may be sweltering but it's chilly here in the south. In wintry Melbourne the average high/low temperature in July is 14/7 °C. It can be wet and windy. So going out in the evening and wandering around a park for a few hours seems a bit masochistic, right?
Well, no. One of the nicest winter events in Melbourne is Lightscape, a show of creative illuminations in the Royal Botanic Gardens after dark. The Royal Botanic Gardens is a lovely part of the city, not far from the CBD.
Here's a nice photo from above: https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/melbourne-gardens/
First entry is at 5.30, just as it's getting dark. The Gardens is the home of many mature trees, and they look great when simply lit up ... or cleverly turned into a chequerboard.
Each installation is designed by a different artist or creative team, and is created specifically for its location in the Gardens.
The Botanic Gardens doesn't usually open in the evening, so I admire the event making use of 'unused' public space* at night --- as well as the space being perfectly suited to our COVID sensibilities, i.e. outdoors. Plenty of fresh air! Chilly fresh air, yes, but fresh air nonetheless. (*Although as Lee pointed out, it's unused only by humans. The many animal and birds that overnight in the gardens are upset by the hordes of night-time visitors for six weeks of the year. But only until 10 pm at night.)
We rugged up for the weather but were blessed with a lovely clear, rainless evening. We began with a few snacks from the food trucks out front, plus a mulled wine or two --- for warmth, of course!
I love the mushrooms. The big fellas glowed like fairytale pictures ... then as we walked further down the slope, a network of tiny mushrooms appeared. I recently read a review of the book by Merlin Sheldrake (what a glorious name for a mycologist) about the vast fungal web that braids the earth, so this display felt very timely. Entangled Life: How fungi make our worlds, change our minds and shape our futures https://www.merlinsheldrake.com/
One of our favourite installations was the white, fluffy seed heads that float above the path. Dandelions, someone said, but that seems a bit prosaic. Fairy dust?
This year's Lightscape has a strong Aboriginal theme. The firegarden stretches across the lawns, evoking traditional burning across country, and I loved the eels in the water.
The walk is about 2 km, in a one-way loop around the gardens. Everyone moves in the same direction, which means limited collisions with prams and selfie-takers. The central lake in the park was set up with fountains and music and water lilies — and it's nice to see the lights of the city forming part of the display. Can you see the plane coming in to land? The cafe on the lake is a handy stop for another mulled wine, some dumplings, crème brûlée and a few salted caramel donuts, but there are plenty of food options both in and outside the event.
Then there was this blobby number (another mycoid web, perhaps?) and lights than run up and down the tall palm trees.
Lightscape is a very immersive experience: shadowy amorphous plants line the path; lights glow and move and change colour; different sounds accompany each installation; and the night is dark and cold and slightly damp. It's wonderful.
And then there is the cathedral of light. It looms on the hill as a bright, vaulted structure; once inside, the 'walls' of the structure are strings of lights, and the gardens are visible through the sides. Perfectly situated as the climax of the experience, like the shining city on the hill.
I love this event. Lightscape 2024 is definitely in my calendar.
So am I inspired to install any artistic illuminations in our garden? So far I have elephant candleholders, which will have to do.
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