Illuminate light, sound installation success ‘makes it all worthwhile'
A mushroom installation and water feature installation at Illuminate Light and Sound Experience at Queens Park in Invercargill. The show will not be coming to Dunedin as a suitable location could not be decided on. PHOTO: NINA TAPU
One of Illuminate Light and Sound Experience's most successful shows finished its Southland run this month.
But it will not be heading to Dunedin after a site in the city could not be agreed on.
The event's Invercargill tour ran from June 6-15, attracting 20,000 visitors through the Queens Park gates.
Illuminate Light and Sound Experience creative director Phil Anderson said he was humbled by how many locals supported the 10-day show.
"People really appreciated that [we've] brought something that they often don't get, and they've really showed that appreciation by actually turning up and enjoying the event," Mr Anderson said.
"It just makes it all worthwhile, which is really cool."
Illuminate is an interactive light and sound installation show.
There are 20 key light features included in the show, created out of thousands of lights.
Mr Anderson said he initially approached the Dunedin City Council to put the Illuminate event on in that city but was declined.
PHOTO: NINA TAPU
"Someone from their events [team] said [they] wouldn't allow that kind of activity on their grounds.
"They said the council had different priorities."
Council events team leader Dan Hendra confirmed the council was approached by a promoter late last year about a proposal to host the event at the Dunedin Botanic Garden this winter.
"We reviewed the proposal but concluded the event wasn't a suitable fit for the location," he said.
"This was due to a range of factors, including concerns the large increase in foot traffic during winter conditions would damage the garden.
"We also had concerns about traffic congestion in the area, and the commercial nature of the event, and wanted to avoid any negative impact on other established Dunedin seasonal events, including the Midwinter Carnival and Matariki celebrations."
The council team did offer to suggest other potential locations for the event, but this was not taken up by event organisers, he said.
Mr Anderson said he believed everything "happened for a reason" and Illuminate "was always destined to come to Invercargill".
Illuminate will return to Invercargill next year.
nina.tapu@odt.co.nz
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