Central city, Things to do  |  1 Aug 2019

Share this story

Artists bursting with bright ideas are invited to apply for next year’s brilliant Botanic D’Lights festival in Christchurch.

Every two years, House of Travel Botanic D’Lights transforms the Christchurch Botanic Gardens with illuminated artworks and innovative light installations.

Last year it attracted more than 100,000 people over five nights and next year it will expand to include North Hagley Park.

Christchurch City Council is seeking expressions of interest from local and national lighting artists with ideas for light art and projection installations to feature in the 2020 event.

Applications are open from today until Saturday 31 August.

Renamed House of Travel Botanic D’Lights 2020 Tīrama, next year's family-friendly event will be held from 5 August to 9 August.

The theme is past, present, future.

Tīrama means to shine or illuminate and provides a cultural connection with the Hagley Park and Botanic Gardens region which historically was a mahinga kai gathering place for local Māori.

Council Events and Arts Manager Lucy Blackmore says House of Travel Botanic D’Lights is hugely popular and a great platform for artists to share spectacular ideas with a big audience.

“It’s a key biennial event on the local calendar and definitely something that local artists will want to be part of. We’re looking for work that’s of high quality and has a wow factor. I can’t wait to see the applications.”

Artists are asked to submit a comprehensive concept, scope of works and associated costs with their application. They will be assessed on a number of factors including design quality, alignment to the theme, interactive elements, uniqueness, and sustainability.

The site is outdoors so the installations need to be weather-tight as well as visually impressive.

Email botanicdlights@ccc.govt.nz for more information.

Submissions will be assessed by the Botanic D’Lights creative panel and successful applicants will be notified by 1 October 2019.