Exploring Enlighten

Goes To - Kaet - March 5, 2016

The Canberra skyline is now alight with the annual Enlighten Festival. There is so much to see and do each evening – you will want to plan return visits to experience it all.

The Enlighten Festival is BIG.

The Enlighten Festival is BIG. Architectural projections light up the National Gallery of Australia, National Portrait Gallery, Questacon, National Library of Australia, Australian Parliament House and Old Parliament House.

Enlighten 2016, projections at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.

The projections transform the buildings – with images and videos. Each building provides a different perspective. What I love, is that each institution tells their story through the projections, bringing their art and stories outside.

Take some time to look at the buildings from different angles and distances away. From a distance you will get the overall view of the artwork, at close range, you can put yourself in the picture, take a selfie or play with shadows and at Questacon, look around the corner, as the projection manoeuvres its way around two walls.

Enlighten 2016, projections at the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.

Enlighten 2016, bringing the art outside at the National Gallery of Australia.

The art is not just on the buildings, with most of the institutions opening their doors for late night openings on the weekends, the have a variety of events and activities planned.

You will also find performers, artists, comedians and bands entertaining the crowds in the Parliamentary Triangle, Reconciliation Place and the High Court of Australia Forecourt.

Oh, did we mention the rabbits?

Oh, did we mention the rabbits? Artist Amanda Parer has created 7m high inflatable rabbits that are found grazing and playing throughout the Parliamentary Triangle.

Enlighten 2016, projections at the Australian Parliament House - with rabbits, Canberra.

Inflatable rabbits play in the Parliamentary Triangle.

There are a lot of special events held during Enlighten, outside the Parliamentary Triangle, including a Twilight Safari Tour at the National Zoo and Aquarium and evening events at the National Botanic Gardens.

And, don’t forget the food! The Enlighten Night Noodle Markets is back, with 25 stalls serving up their delicacies each night from 5pm in Reconciliation Place (just look for the giant lucky-cat or the canopy of lanterns).

The 2016 Enlighten Festival is on March 4-13. Visit the Enlighten website for the full details of the program.