Winter light show set to D’light

Botanic D’Lights will blaze a dazzling new trail when it returns in August.

For the first time the interactive lighting trail will be expanded beyond the grounds of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens into the heart of the historic Arts Centre.

This tree-mendous lighting display was a hit with the crowds at the last Botanic D'Lights.

“It is going to add an extra dimension to the Botanic D’Lights experience and allow us to shine the light on the after-dark magic of two very different environments,’’ says Christchurch City Council Arts and Events Manager Karena Finnie.

Botanic D’Lights is a biennial event that showcases the talents of New Zealand’s leading lighting artists, designers and creatives.

With the theme of ‘escape your reality’, it will be held over five nights from Wednesday, 8 August.

Entry will be free, however, people will be encouraged to provide a gold coin donation to the Nurse Maude Hospice.

When Botanic D'Lights was last held, more than 70,000 people braved the cold to see the spectacular lighting displays in the Botanic Gardens.

House of Travel has jumped on board as naming rights sponsor for this year’s event, which will feature about 47 different lighting and project-based installations by a variety of artists, including students from the ARA Institute of Canterbury.

“We are thrilled to have House of Travel as naming right’s sponsor for this year’s event. With the theme of ‘escape your reality’, House of Travel are a natural fit for the winter event as many are dreaming of warmer holidays and exotic locations,’’ Ms Finnie says.

House of Travel Joint Managing Director Dalwyn Sinclair says with House of Travel being owned and operated by locals in Christchurch, they were really keen to get behind an event that was run by, and for, the Christchurch community.

Botanic D'Lights interactive light displays are fun for all ages.

“Botanic D'Lights has quickly become an iconic event for all Cantabrians to enjoy, and it shares our ethos of providing exciting new experiences, adventure and having fun. 

“We also saw an opportunity to grow further community awareness around our charity partnership with Nurse Maude Hospice who provide invaluable services to so many families in Canterbury,’ Mr Sinclair says.

Arts Centre Acting Chief Executive Jane Parfitt says Botanic D'Lights is a fantastic opportunity to activate the Arts Centre mid-winter and to raise the site's public profile.

Light installation artists interested in being part of this year’s Botanic D’Lights have from now until 20 April to submit an expression of interest.

“The Public Art Submissions allows artists and creative technicians to pitch ideas for the event.

All ideas, big and small, will be considered, so if you have an idea or want to be involved, please get in touch,’’ says Events Co-ordinator Sheena Baines-Alhawamdeh.