An unquestionable highlight of winter in Melbourne is Lightscape at the Royal Botanic Gardens. Now in its fourth year, it is bigger and better than ever, with many new and captivating light installations up above, in the trees and on the ground. It is a true A-lister, suitable for the whole family and how many events can readily and justifiably claim that?
The concept was developed at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in the UK more than a decade ago. Since then, it has been showcased at botanic gardens, National Trust and UNESCO World Heritage sites across the UK, US and, of course, Australia. The Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne was the first city in this country to host Lightscape and it has never looked back.
The light sculptures and accompanying popular and classical music are magical, majestic and mesmerising – a cavalcade of sight and sound. Allow 90 minutes to see all on offer (don’t rush, soak it all in) along the two-kilometre path – and there is plenty. My iPhone got a real workout.
Upon entry, the first “exhibit” is at ground level, the work of Thornbury Primary School students and video design specialists NOVAK. Projected along the path are reimagined illustrations of plant labels from the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens. Six brightly coloured glass houses of different sizes follow and are eye catching.
So, too, battens of changing coloured lights that illuminate the path to the strains of Coldplay. Next up is Hoya by Jigantics, a UK-based light art studio, founded by artist Jig Cochrane, that creates giant illuminated flower sculptures. Rescue Seeds – colourful imagery of magnified seeds and spores of Victorian plants at ground level – is the domain of the Victorian Conservation Seedbank and NOVAK.
One of the many highlights of Lightscape 2025 is UK-based Culture Creative’s large scale installation Effervescence. It is a large field of ever-changing coloured lights with a dominant sunflower as the central focus. Blossom by French creative studio Pitaya is just that, blossoming illuminated flowers of various sizes that appear in the branches of trees.
Pitaya is also responsible for Lunaires, seed heads that resemble the translucent and papery silver pods of the Honesty plant, which evokes purity. A succession of striking dandelions is a picture of elegance. As the name suggests, Neon Bird Boxes by Culture Creative is a series of dual coloured bird boxes. French artistic studio TILT has conjured up Ros’O, reeds of various heights in assorted shades.
Lines of Country refers to the lines and waterways of Wurundjeri Woiwurrung Country. The conceit of Lewis Wandin Bursill, it utilises projection and fire. Originally acrylic paintings, the animals of Water Stories by First Peoples artists, have been animated in the ornamental lake by NOVAK.
Written by award-winning Wiradjuri poet Dr Jeanine Leane, four illuminated poems – Hope, Resilience, Change and Action – reflect on the power of choices. They constitute an installation named Seeds of Hope. The Cathedral of light that has been a feature of successive Lightscape shows in Melbourne takes on a slightly different form this year. Thereafter, a 75-metre-long multi-coloured tunnel called Trapezoid by UK-based creatives ArtAV is also immersive.
The beauty of and creativity involved in Lightscape should not be underestimated. It is an experience to be savoured. So, rug up on a still wintry night and revel in the radiance of something special, for Lightscape is, indeed, that. You won’t be disappointed you did. For more information and to buy tickets, go to https://www.lightscape.com/melbourne
Alex First
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- Lightscape (Royal Botanic Gardens) – theatre review
- Lightscape (Royal Botanic Gardens) – exhibition review
- Lightscape (Royal Botanic Gardens) – theatre review
Alex First is the editor of The Blurb. Alex is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He also contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.
