May 2016

LUMA to light up Queenstown

After a successful pilot project in June 2015, the inaugural Southern Light Project ‘LUMA’ will light up Queenstown Gardens Friday 3rd – Sunday 5th June 2016.

LUMA is a free public ‘light festival’ showcasing a fantastic array of light sculptures, an open-air photography exhibition, an international short film festival and more.

Lighting up when the sun goes down, LUMA will switch on from 5pm-10pm each night over Queen’s Birthday Weekend and will appeal to all ages. It’s a non-profit event organised by the LUMA Light Festival Trust and assisted by a dedicated group of volunteers from Queenstown’s vibrant arts community.

Event spokesman Luke Baldock says LUMA will be a “colourful light extravaganza not to be missed.”

“People are drawn to Queenstown to enjoy its many outdoor adventures, however this event is about putting the spotlight on our creative scene and encouraging the wider community to interact and get involved.”

The Queenstown Gardens will provide a magical setting featuring a curated collection of stunning light sculptures, installations and projections, together with an ‘art walk’, outdoor cinema and lounge area.

Fine art gallery Toi o Tahuna has curated the LUMA Art Walk which will showcase work by award-winning sculptors Drew Hill, Luke Jacomb, Paratene Matchitt, Gregor Kregar and Conor McNicholas.

Experts in setting up spontaneous film screenings in the most unlikely of spaces, the team behind Queenstown’s Guerrilla Drive-In will deliver a free outdoor cinema showing a selection of short films and features each night from 6pm.

“Dress warm and come see Queenstown sparkle,” says Mr Baldock.

“We will bring lightness and brightness to the Queenstown Gardens over the long weekend and our LUMA Lounge will provide a hospitable environment to soak up the ambience.”

Last year’s pilot project, held during the Queenstown Winter Festival, was one of the photographic opportunities of the year with brightly coloured light installations dotted around Queenstown’s CBD and waterfront.

The 2015 installations were created by Auckland based Angus Muir Design, renowned for their stunning sculptures which transform spaces and encourage public interaction.

Digital Whattle by Angus Muir Design. Photo Credit Jordan McInally Undersoul Photography

Angus Muir Design will return for the 2016 event, working closely with audio-video productions company TomTom and SILO (South Island Light Orchestra), the arts management company behind LUMA.

After the Queen’s birthday weekend activities, LUMA Continues will see a number of light sculptures remain in Queenstown’s CBD until late June, in addition to other ‘light related’ activities.

The full programme and participating artists are set to be announced in May.

ENDS

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