Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Thursday 4 April 2019

Enlighten 2019

The Enlighten festival (held in early March each year) has become a must see experience for us.  We are still taking the cheap option and only going to the free events - but don't feel short-changed at all.  The Parliamentary Triangle explodes with light, with colour, with music and with quirky fun. 
I shared some of the quirky fun in Sunday Selections but there was, as usual, lots more.
Please come with me - and settle in for a looooong ride with a lot of photos.  As always photos will embiggen when clicked upon.

This year we arrived a bit before dark, and wandered down to see what was happening.  Lots.


There are 110 flags in this display, representing 108 Missions that have a diplomatic presence here as well as flags for the European Union and the United Nations. 



I never tire of clouds - or sunsets.



Or the orb at the National Gallery.  I like the details in the ceiling above the Gallery entry too.




And the action starts...









The illumations at the National Gallery I AM VISIBLE by contemporary Australian artist Tony Albert.   They were designed to draw attention to the visibility of Aboriginal people and their voices in the national conversation. The NGA’s façade featured images of proud young Aboriginal men, each emblazoned with red targets on their chests, along with statements of love and respect for family and community. 



More illuminated trees and paths.







The images above were from the National Portrait Gallery.  We were invited to step into a photo booth and the images captured were featured on the back wall, often with alien ears added.



A fast moving dragon.




I liked the Giant Cat - but cannot remember what he represented.







Old Parliament house - known by some as the Museum of Democracy.  






Questacon - which has been more exciting in other years.









Finishing up at our National Library.  Not only are the buildings illuminated, they stay open much later than usual. Enlighten really is a heap of fun.  I was a very tired puppy at the end of the night, but glad we went. 

94 comments:

  1. Some awesome pictures there. Very colorful. I love the sky and the clouds as well. What a lovely sunset. I don't get to see them like that here.

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    1. mxtodis123: It is an incredibly colourful event. I am a sunset fan and watch them as often as I can.

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  2. That orb elicited it "Wow!" from me.
    Glad you had good reason to turn into a tired puppy, EC.

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    1. Rawknrobyn: I really like that orb. I have many photos of it at different times of day, seasons...

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: I liked the dragon too. I wish it had stayed still long enough to get better photos but a dragon does as a dragon wishes.

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  4. Oh I just wish we had such events near me! Color me pea green with envy.

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    1. Anne in the kitchen: This is a relatively recent addition to the calendar of my city (which is known for being more boring than dirt). We love it.

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  5. A night display is always my favourite. This one deserves a WOW.

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    1. Marie Smith: There were several Wows. From us, and other onlookers.

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  6. It's so colorful. It looks like a good place to go.

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    1. Mary Kirkland: It is - and very close to home too.

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  7. What a wonderful event. I can only imagine what it would be like to walk in the dark with all those lovely lit up places. I liked the white lion, too.

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    1. mshatch: The crowd at this event hums with happiness. Young, old, fit and infirm.

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  8. Good to see the old favourite jellyfish. Haven't light projections come such a long way in just a few years.

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    1. Andrew: The cleverness and the incredible techniques blow me away. I like the jellyfish but am ready for something new next year.

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  9. Every year I enjoy your photos of this truly delightful festival. You are lucky to live in a city that offers so many different events. I'm glad to see you back in blogland.

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    1. Carola Bartz: Thank you. I am pretty certain that Enlighten offers something for almost everyone. One year we may even splurge and go to some of the ticketed events.

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  10. I am loving those photos, must get out and about and take some of where I am.

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    1. 50Plus Teenager: Welcome and thank you. Do you have a blog I can visit?

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  11. Dear EC
    Thank you for taking us along - always a joy!
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: Thank you - I am really pleased to hear that you enjoyed it.

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  12. This is outstanding. I especially liked the library, and real book illustrations.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: I really like that library - all year round. And they did excel at Enlighten this year.

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  13. Wow! The orb is amazing. So are your other photos. I felt like I was there.

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    1. Natalie Aguirre: I am glad. Thank you for your kind words.

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  14. Still on the Bucket List, along with the Bloons...
    Thanks for the show.

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  15. Great to see you back in action EC. The 'cat' reminds me of the Merlion in Singapore

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    1. Cathy: Thank you. I didn't know Sentosa's Merlion but Captain Google tells me you are right.

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  16. So amazing. The table of elements is great.

    How is the gov't treatment of the Aborigines? Is anything changing?

    I read "Mutant Message Down Under" by Marlo Morgan. A good book.

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    1. Susan Kane: The table of elements is good isn't it? Government treatment of the Aboriginals is a fraught area. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Small steps have been made. Strides are needed.

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  17. It must have been fantastic to see all of these - your posts often make me wish I lived in a big city again! I really like the illuminations at the National Library.

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    1. Alexia: It was a treat. Most of the time my city is more like a big country town - which suits me just fine.

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  18. What a wonderful exhibition and a great name for it too. Fascinating photos. I wish I could go!

    XO
    WWW

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    1. Wisewebwoman: I wish that you (and so many of my blogging friends) could see it in person. I wish it a lot.

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  19. As usual, I loved all your pictures, which were abundant enough to make me feel like I got a true visit to Enlighten. Thank you so much, dear friend. :-)

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    1. DJan: I am so pleased you enjoyed it. Two more photo heavy posts coming up soon.

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  20. That looks like it is worth every minute.

    By the way, if the answer is no, it's okay, but could you possibly put up a "Where are the Words for Wednesday" post? Even Delores did not know i was hosting this month, and there may be more who would participate if they knew.

    If you cannot, that will be fine, i know it's a lot to ask.

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    1. messymimi: I am sorry I meant to do it before and it escaped me. The post is up now. And yes, Enlighten is always worth a visit.

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  21. So beautiful! I'm glad I got to see a bit of this, looks just spectacular!

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    1. e: It is spectacular and most of it is disability friendly and accessible too. Always a win.

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    2. Wow...I always wonder about that!

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    3. e: As my mobility issues increase I keep an eye on accessibility and am happy to bitch and whine when improvements are needed.

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  22. I am so glad you are now well enough to enjoy see all these wonderful illuminations and take photographs. Thanks

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    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure: Thank you. A change in attitude is trumping the bodily issues.

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  23. Hi EC – lovely to see all the photos … I particularly like the Orb; good to know about Tony Albert and see his interests … “political, historical and cultural Aboriginal and Australian history”; the fast moving dragon is impressive; while your cat reminds me somewhat of the sphinxes … not to say I’ve seen them!; the periodic table wall is delightful to see; the buildings and installations you’ve shown – explain to us how much you enjoyed the whole of Enlighten. Thanks so much for sharing with us … loved seeing them all – cheers Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: I love that the buildings are open for much longer hours too. Some year we will take the time to explore inside as well.

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  24. Replies
    1. Author R. Mac Wheeler: It was. Big heaps of colour.

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  25. Those trees are awesome looking!

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    1. Lon Anderson: Aren't they lovely? I look forward to them every year.

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  26. Awesome! How lovely to be able to see all of this first hand.
    Hugs

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    1. Sandra: Hugs gratefully received and reciprocated. It is a wonderful event and I hope it continues.

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  27. Just beautiful! I really like that first illuminated tree. I would love to see this event in person.

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    1. Strayer: I wish you could. How I wish you could.

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  28. A splendid series of photos. I have missed you and am so glad you are back :)

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  29. Glad you are back. Great images as ever. The one with the periodic table but with elements misplaced got me intrigued.

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    1. Andrew R. Scott: Thank you. The periodic table was displayed on the walls of Questacon, our interactive science and technology centre. Hours of fun there. My ignorant self didn't see the misplaced elements...

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  30. Wow. All the different colors, shapes and sizes of things! I really dug the giant cat & the dragon. The skies are, as ever, superlative in your neck of the woods.

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    1. Bea: It is a really clever festival. I too loved the cat and the dragon (of course), and revel in the skies every day.

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  31. Thank you so much for the trip on which you took me. I think my favorite of all your photos on this post is the orb. I wonder what that says about me??? :)

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    1. Mildred Ratched: I love that orb too. I take photographs of it each and every time we go to the Gallery.

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  32. What a wonderful array, EC. I've only just discovered your post. :)

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    1. Lee: It was a great night. I am glad you found the post - it got hidden because messymimi asked me to do a Where are the Words post (which I had meant to do and forgotten).

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  33. I'm rapt that you are back! Thank you for sharing more of the fascinating things you see

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    1. Kim: Thank you. I missed my friends in the blogosphere a lot.

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  34. these are feasts for the eyes, I especially like the dragon and the jellyfish.

    have a lovely day.

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    1. lissa: It is a wonderful festival. I like the dragon and the jellyfish too.

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  35. The festival looks awesome. The way you captured the color in those nights shots is really cool! Looks like you had an awesome time, and I love that you did it for free!

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    1. Sandy: I am blown away at how much we can see free here. And very, very glad we discovered Enlighten a few years ago.

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  36. You snuck one in here on me. :)
    There are so many cool things to do and see where you live! I know many of us have become armchair travelers to Australia because of you. Thank you for taking the time to share the sights with all of us. I know it’s a time consuming process and a labor of love. You are most appreciated.

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    1. I’m noticing I’m not the only one with blogger photo issues here. I hope they get it fixed soon or you have a good memory for names!

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    2. River: I put this post up, and then messymimi asked if I would do a Words for Wednesday post, so this one got buried. And thank you.

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  37. The giant cat is magnificent. Franky looks in the mirror and sees him. Heh.
    Hope your day is filled with sunshine and joy.

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    1. Sandra: Jazz sees a black panther, or a sabre-toothed tiger in the mirror.

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  38. Such a fabulous post with a great selection of colourful photographs.
    Loved it :)

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you so much. What a lovely thing to say.

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  39. What an excellent photo of that dragon! I can't figure out how to take night photos but would dearly love to do so. I'm glad to hear that the National Gallery's focus was on indigenous people. Around the world our first nations peoples have gotten the short end of the stick for far too long. Anything positive that can be done toward raising awareness is a good step in the very long ladder of reparation.

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    1. jenny_o: We are only just approaching the first rung of that long reparation ladder. We have repeatedly approached it, put our foot on it, and backed away. Which fills me with shame.

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  40. I love the Beagle, and thoroughly enjoyed the rest of your photos. I would love to visit your national library. I hope you are doing okay.

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    1. e: Our National Library is WONDERFUL. Really wonderful. I am glad you enjoyed the myriad of photos. I am struggling a bit still but ok. I hope you and Lukas are too.

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  41. Wow truly amazing EC!!! Truly breath taking!! Thank you for all the pictures! I felt like I was there! I would have been tired after a night like that too! LOL! Big Hugs!

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    1. Magic Love Crow: Thank you so much. I am glad you enjoyed coming along for the ride. Hugs gratefully received and reciprocated. I hope you are feeling MUCH better.

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  42. I am glad to see you back posting! I hate you are feeling bad but like your attitude of adjusting to whatever. I like these night photos, so different and pretty!

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    1. Kim@stuffcould...: Thank you. I rarely go out at night but make a happy exception for Enlighten.

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  43. Starshine Twinkletoes20 April 2019 at 02:26

    A ton of oooh and ahhs here, I'm in catch up mode! x

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