Accessible News

Top storiesNew ZealandPoliticsBusinessEntertainmentSportsWorld

Light show brings multi-sensory experience to Botanic Garden

Monday, 25 March 2024

The Light Cycles show, created by Canadian studio Moment Factory, is part of the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts and will light up the Botanic Garden throughout May and June.

An award-winning light show will illuminate Wellington’s Botanic Garden bringing a “multi-sensory experience” to visitors, in May and June this year.

Light Cycles promises viewers a different perspective of the garden, says Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts Creative Director Marnie Karmelita in announcing the addition to the festival.

The show, exclusive to Wellington, was created by award-winning Canadian multimedia studio Moment Factory.

The light show will take place in May and June, as those nights get longer and darker
The light show will take place in May and June, as those nights get longer and darker

Karmelita said the light show was a celebration of nature, “coming to life, and coming to life at night”.

“What the show will highlight, or bring to people's attention, is the magic and wonder and awe of nature through these extraordinary light installations, as well as a soundscape or sound installation that really heightens your senses and gives you a whole new perspective on the landscape.”

Karmelita said visitors would see the Botanic Garden from a different perspective. “What the light will do is really accentuate the beautiful trees and the flora in that park and bring it to life in a way that I don't think people will expect.”

WellingtonNZ general manager for events and experiences Heidi Morton was pleased to have Light Cycles on the city’s event calendar.

The Botanic Garden attracted visitors from all over the region and around the country, she said in a statement.

Moment Factory has previously worked with the NFL, Madonna, and Arcade Fire.
Moment Factory has previously worked with the NFL, Madonna, and Arcade Fire.

“Light Cycles will be the icing on the cake in the gardens this autumn – a visual feast that enhances the city’s reputation as a vibrant, creative hub.”

Light Cycles will be a 750m self-guided journey starting at the top of the Wellington Cable Car (next to the Kelburn terminal), and ending at the Lady Norwood Rose Garden.

Moment Factory has created more than 550 unique projects worldwide, including the Lumina Night Walk series and a sell-out season of Light Cycles at Illuminate Adelaide.

Its projects span the globe and clients including Disney, indie band Arcade Fire, Boston Museum of Science, Madonna, NFL, Universal Studios, and the Toronto Zoo.

Wellington City Council manager for city events Stephen Blackburn said it had been “an exciting collaboration”.

“The arts festival has added so much richness and life to the city this summer and we are delighted to see this extend into the autumn evenings.”