Enlighten 2017

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. 

Last year our local Government robbed the artists who decorated the buildings by offering them 'exposure' rather than payment.  This was particularly cheap (and nasty) because none of the artists were identified.  I am glad to say that public outcry meant that this year (and I hope for all the years to come) the artists received payment.

We took two trips to the festival, and loved them both.

Settle in with a beverage of choice.  There are a LOT of photos to come.

I am going to start with the new quirky splashes of colour and whimsy which we saw on our second visit.

'Cloud' was made from discarded light bulbs, and those 'strings of rain' allowed the onlooker to turn on (or off) segments of the installation.

  
These gentlemen were wandering nearby.

These were young women on stilts wearing illuminated dresses.  I was fascinated by the way that the dress and the light made the wearer disappear...

And then on to the illuminated buildings.  I loved the way that the illuminations (which change every minute or so) on each building were a reflection of the building's purpose.  On each night we started at the National Gallery and worked our way down through the Parliamentary Triangle.

The National Gallery currently has a special exhibition, Versailles - Treasures of the  Palace.  An incredibly opulent, over the top and indulgent time for the ruling class.

We then wandered past the ever changing gum tree illuminations to the Portrait Gallery.  This year the Portrait Gallery had an interactive focus.  The public were invited to enter a photo booth and then the photos joined the others scrolling across the building (and no, we declined the offer).  It was very popular and the queues were long.

I apologise for the blurred images.  They were scrolling past faster than my fingers could cope.

The next stop was Questacon, our interactive Science and technology building.

And then to the National Library which mostly focused on Australian women (with a lovely nod to some of our indigenous achievers), and made a detour into native flora and fauna.

And the last stop of the evenings (and the post), Old Parliament House (aka The Museum of Democracy.

There really is a lot to see and do.  The crowds at this event are always pleasant too, which isn't always true of mixed gatherings.  A win.

   

Sunday Selections #319

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
 
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
 
Like River I usually run with a theme.  This week?  We were very, very busy while himself's sister was with us.  I took well over 1000 photos, so for a little while Sunday Selections are all going to come from the Tommy Tourist trail.  While she was here we went back to Enlighten (which will get a post of its own), saw the balloons rise (which was very, very lucky because the weather has grounded them on all but two days), went to the lake several times, went to the Botanic Gardens and Telstra Tower, went to the markets and the glass works and saw an exhibition at the National Gallery (probably another post on its own).  She has gone home, and I am in recovery mode.

After watching the balloons take to the air (and they will also get a post of their own) we wandered into the Parliamentary Rose Gardens which are attached to our old Parliament House.  Old Parliament House is now officially called The Museum of Democracy but I haven't heard the term used by the general public.  Whatever the name, its gardens are a lovely spot.  Wasted on the pollies (then and now)
.

As I commented last time we visited these gardens, the manure spread by our politicians is obviously very, very good for roses.  The gardens used to be restricted to the politicians and staffers, but are now open to the public.  And many a wedding is held here.

Today is the last day of the Balloon Spectacular so my brother and I will be heading off before dawn in the hopes that they will fly.  I hope so.  I really hope so.

PS:  I am home again.  Yet again the balloons didn't take to the air.  Which is sad.  For everyone.