Overview
You may have dreamed about one day seeing your name in lights — but what about your face? That's now possible thanks to a stunning new light and water projection coming to Wellington's waterfront this month.
Into the Light is a new installation from designer Amber Strain, using Trustpower's projection technology at the Carter Fountain on Wellington's Oriental Parade.
Located 150 metres into the harbour, the iconic Carter Fountain was installed in 1973 and spouts water up to 16 metres high in the air.
With Strain's exhibition running from Thursday, May 26 until Sunday, June 12, Wellington locals can head down to the fountain after dark and from a waterfront booth, take a live-stream video of their face which is then projected onto the water spray.
It's not the first time projection technology has been used to create a spectacle on the water — previous projections erupting from the water have included ballerinas, swimmers and local taniwha Ngake and Whātaitai. However this is the first totally interactive installation, which truly puts the people of Pōneke front and centre.
In a statement, Strain said she's been developing the installation over many years.
"This has been such an enjoyable piece to develop. Working with sound and interaction designer Kate Ashworth, both of us have found ourselves in the new territory of interactable public art," she said.
"From one little idea to how it is shaping today, I am thrilled to invite everyone to see themselves as a huge hologram in the water."
Into the Light was originally scheduled to be part of The Performance Arcade 2022 in February, but was postponed due to the nationwide COVID red level. But it might be a win in the long term: the longer nights now allow for more time to enjoy the projections on the fountain.
Into the Light will run on Wellington's waterfront from Thursday, May 26 until Sunday, June 12. Organisers say the projection will run rain or shine, but not in northerly winds over 19kmph.For more information, check out the Eventfinda listing.